Breast cancer cases and deaths set to surge, study suggests
The study found an average of one in 20 women around the world will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and about one in 70 women will die from the disease.
Tuesday 25 February 2025 11:13, UK
The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer and who die from the disease is set to rise significantly over the next three decades.
In the UK, breast cancer cases are projected to rise by 21% by 2050, with deaths increasing by 42%, according to new data from the World Health Organisation.
Around 23% of breast cancer cases in the UK are thought to be preventable, with around 8% of cases caused by obesity and 8% by drinking too much alcohol.
But the biggest risk factor for any type of cancer is getting older, with cell DNA damage accumulating over time.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (which is part of the WHO) looked at the latest and future data for female breast cancer in 50 countries worldwide.
The figures found UK cases are expected to rise from 58,756 cases per year in 2022 to 71,006 cases per year in 2050.
Similarly, UK breast cancer deaths are projected to jump from 12,122 per year in 2022 to 17,261 per year in 2050.
They suggested the rises being seen across the globe are due to increasing populations.
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The study found an average of one in 20 women around the world will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Around one in 70 women will die from the disease.
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IARC scientist Dr Joanne Kim, one of the authors of the report, said countries need to work on preventing cancer as well as invest in early cancer detection and treatment.
A new test can detect breast cancer at its earliest stage using laser screening and artificial intelligence.
Dr Kim added: "Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one woman dies from the disease, and these statistics are worsening."