Cancer facts & figures - Archive
Kidney Cancer - rates lowest in developing countries
Kidney cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide. About 270,000 cases were recorded in 2008.
Meat consumption patterns – highest in industrialised countries
Annual meat production is predicted to rise from a level of 218 million tonnes recorded in 1999 to 376 million tonnes by 2030.
Greatest burden of pancreatic cancer found in developed countries
Cancer of the pancreas is the ninth most common type of cancer worldwide. About 280,000 cases were recorded in 2008.
Nearly one third of adults are not physically active enough worldwide
There is convincing evidence that being physically active protects against colon cancer and also against becoming overweight or obesity.
Liver cancer highest in Eastern Asia
Liver cancer was diagnosed in about 750,000 people worldwide in 2008. This accounted for about 6% of the total number of cases of cancer in 2008. About 85% of the cases were in developing countries. The age standardised rate of this cancer in men was more than double that in women (16 vs. 6 per 100,000 population).
Bladder cancer is six times more common in Northern America than Central America
Bladder cancer was diagnosed in about 380,000 people worldwide in 2008. This accounted for about 3% of the total number of cases of cancer in 2008. Bladder cancer is predominantly a disease of high income countries. The age standardised rate of bladder cancer was about four times higher in men compared with women (9 vs. 2 per 100,000 population).
Endometrial cancer rates
Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide. Around 288,000 cases of endometrial cancer were recorded in 2008.
Oesophageal cancer risk highest in South Africa
Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide. There are two types of oesophageal cancer adenocarcinoma and sqamous cell carcinoma.
People in Europe consume the most alcohol
More alcohol is consumed in Europe than other parts of the world. The top five countries with the highest consumption were all in Europe (Estonia, Czech Republic, Ireland, France and Andorra).
Stomach cancer most common in Eastern Asia
Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide. Around one million cases of stomach cancer were recorded in 2008, accounting for around 8 per cent of all new cancer cases. It is predicted that the number of cases will rise to 1.7 million by 2030. Age-standardised incidence rates are about twice as high in men as in women.
Bowel cancer rates
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Around 1.2 million cases of bowel cancer were recorded in 2008, accounting for around 10 per cent of all new cancer cases. It is predicted that the number of cases will rise to 2.2 million by 2030.
Worldwide cancer patterns
The latest global figures show that in 2008, there were 12.7 million cases of cancer diagnosed worldwide. The highest rates of cancer were found in Australia/New Zealand and North America, and the lowest rate was in Africa. The cancer rate in Australia and New Zealand was nearly three times that in Africa.
Top 5 most common cancers worldwide are lung, breast, bowel, stomach and prostate.
In 2008 there were 12.7 million new cases of cancer diagnosed worldwide. Lung cancer was the most common cancer when men and women were analysed together and this represents 13% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). New cancers of breast cancer contributed 11%, bowel cancer 10%, stomach cancer 8% and prostate cancer 7%.
Nearly 1.4 million women worldwide diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008
Nearly 1.4 million cases of breast cancer were diagnosed across the world in 2008, compared with about 500 000 cases in 1975. This represents about 11% of all new cancer cases and 23% of all female cancers. It is predicted that the number of cases will rise to 2.1 million by 2030.
The incidence of prostate cancer is 25 times higher in Australia and New Zealand then in South-Central Asia
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Around 910 000 cases of prostate cancer were recorded in 2008, accounting for around 14 per cent of all new cancer cases in men. It is predicted that the number of cases will almost double (1.7 million) by 2030.
Rate of overweight in children under 5 years more than 20 per cent in some European countries
In 2007, an estimated 22 million children under the age of 5 were overweight throughout the world. More than 75 per cent of overweight and obese children live in low- and middle-income countries.
About 1 in 4 cancers in developing countries is caused by infection
In 2002 about 1.9 million cases of cancer, 17.8 per cent of the global total, were caused by infection. Helicobactor pylori is responsible for 63 per cent of stomach cancer worldwide and increases risk by between five and six fold.
South-East Asia breastfeeding rate
South-East Asia has the highest rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
Stomach cancer mortality rates
Decreasing mortality rates for stomach cancer.
Cancer survival
5-year relative cancer survival higher in North America and Australia than Europe.
Worldwide cancer patterns
11.4 million new cases of cancer worldwide in 2004.
Health inequalities
More than 70% of all cancer deaths occur in low & middle income countries.
New cancer vaccines developed
Two new vaccines combat cervical cancer in the UK.
Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 16 per cent.
Obesity
If current trends continue, by 2030 up to 58% of the world's adult population could be either overweight or obese.
