Global cancer cases and deaths are set to rise by 70% in next 20 years

The number of new cases of cancer diagnosed every year around the world is set to increase by 69% by 2030 to 21 million, the WHO has predicted.

Deaths from cancer are also expected to rise by 72% by 2030 to 13 million, up from 7.6 million deaths in 2008, says the organisation’s International Agency for Cancer Research.

Freddy Bray, scientist at the agency, said there will be disparities between developing and developed regions because of changes in population size and the proportion of those who are older. The burden will be greater in developing regions, where incidence will continue to increase, said Dr Bray.

The forecast is based on …