America becomes cancer capital of the WORLD with more cases than all but one country
America has surpassed all but one country in new cancer diagnoses, making it a cancer capital of the world.
The US saw 2.4million new cases of cancer in 2022, surpassing all but China, which saw nearly 4.8million. However, the US saw a higher rate than the Asian country - 1,307 cases per 100,000 people, compared to China's 490 per 100,000.
Overall, the US has the fifth-highest cancer rate in the world, and cases are climbing.
America made up about 13 percent of the 19 million cases recorded worldwide in 2022, more than the combined share from all of Africa (six percent), Latin America and the Caribbean (seven percent), and Oceania (less than two percent).
And global diagnoses are only expected to increase, reaching 35million a year by 2050.
Lung cancer was the most commonly diagnosed among both men and women, responsible for almost 2.5 million new cases, or one in eight cancers worldwide. In the US, an estimated 236,740 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, and 130,000 people died.
Breast cancer in women made up 12 percent of cases worldwide, colorectal accounted for 10 percent, prostate at seven percent, and stomach at five percent.
Cancer is now the leading cause of death in Americans under 85, according to the American Cancer Society's 2024 report.
While it remains the second-leading cause of death overall in the US, it has surpassed heart disease as the top killer in younger age groups.
The anticipated spike in new cancer diagnoses is mainly due to population growth and aging, but experts are increasingly blaming environmental toxins and ultra-processed foods.
And though cancer rates among people under 50 are on the rise, particularly colorectal cancer, the disease still primarily afflicts seniors.
'This rise in projected cancer cases by 2050 is solely due to the aging and growth of the population, assuming current incidence rates remain unchanged,' Dr Hyuna Sung, senior principal scientist at the American Cancer Society, said.
'Notably, the prevalence of major risk factors such as consumption of unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, heavy alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking are increasing in many parts of the world and will likely exacerbate the future burden of cancer barring any large scale interventions.'
Experts warn that the projected rise in cancer cases by 2050 stems from more than just aging populations.
Population growth explains part of the increase, but preventable risk factors —poor diet, lack of access to screenings, and chemical exposures — are also driving the disproportionate spikes.
While the US diagnoses about one in six global cancer cases, it accounts for just seven percent of deaths worldwide, thanks to advanced treatments and fast drug approvals.
The American Cancer Society reported that almost half of all cases and about 56 percent of cancer deaths in 2022 occurred in Asia, where over 59 percent of the world's population lives.
Cancer death rates in Africa and Asia are much higher than cases, partly because cancers there are often found late and are harder to treat.
Europe has more cancer cases and deaths than expected for its population, making up about 20 percent of global cases and deaths, though it has less than 10 percent of the world's people.
Prostate cancer in men is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in 118 countries, followed by lung cancer among both sexes in 33 countries, and liver, colorectal, and stomach cancer ranking in first place in 11, nine, and eight countries, respectively.
By 2050, lung cancer cases will climb from about 2.5 million in 2022 to roughly four million. Deaths will also climb from approximately 1.8 million to about three million.
Global breast cancer cases are projected to surge from 2.3 million to 3.5 million by 2050, with deaths rising from 666,000 to 1 million.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women (excluding skin cancer), diagnosed in 157 countries, while cervical cancer leads in 25 others. The US saw 288,000 new cases in 2022, with over 319,000 projected for 2025.
Just 10 cancer types cause over 60 percent of all cases and deaths globally. Leading the pack is lung cancer (12.4 percent of cases), followed by breast (11.6 percent), colorectal (9.6 percent), prostate (7.3 percent), and stomach cancers (4.9 percent).
Colorectal cancer cases will skyrocket from 1.9 million to 3 million globally by 2050, fueled by processed diets and rising early-onset cases. In 2023, 19,550 Americans under 50 were diagnosed with CRC.
Deaths will climb from 904,000 to 1.4 million, especially in regions with poor screening.
In North America, pancreatic cancer cases and deaths will both increase sharply, with minimal survival improvements expected. Obesity and diabetes are key drivers.
Prostate cancer is set to explode—from 1.5 million cases today to a staggering 2.5 million by 2050—as the world's population ages.
Deaths will leap from 397,000 to 600,000, hitting sub-Saharan Africa hardest, where life-saving treatments remain out of reach for millions.
Liver cancer cases will rise from 865,000 to 1.2 million. Deaths will remain high, nearing one million, due to late detection in poorer parts of the world.
It's on track to become more common, fueled by America's growing struggles with obesity, diabetes, and heavy drinking—even as hepatitis-linked cases fade. Deaths will climb in lockstep, as most patients are diagnosed too late for effective treatment.
Cervical cancer cases could plummet from 660,000 to 500,000 with wider HPV vaccination, yet deaths may persist in Africa without better screening. Meanwhile, North America could nearly eliminate it, thanks to vaccines and early detection.
Stomach cancer cases will decline slightly due to H. pylori control, but deaths will persist in regions with limited healthcare.
Pancreatic cancer cases will spike from 511,000 to 800,000, with deaths mirroring this rise due to poor survival rates.
Esophageal cancer cases will grow from 511,000 to 700,000, driven by obesity-related adenocarcinoma in wealthy nations.
While cases in the US are rising, deaths due to cancer are on the decline thanks to advances in treatments.
Scientists can now engineer immune cells in the lab that target and kill cancer cells, while CRISPR-based gene therapies have progressed from the lab to clinical trials for people with cancer.
Dr Karen E Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, said: 'Understanding the global cancer burden is critical to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
'This data provides insight into trends and potential areas for intervention and can help prioritize discovery efforts worldwide.
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