We often hear about the progress against cancer in the United States, but what is happening in other nations? Even though U.S. cancer rates are improving, the number of cancer cases is increasing throughout the world. A new report by the World Health Organization shows that the number of new cancer cases worldwide every year is projected to grow by at least 18 million by 2030, reaching 20 to 26 million cases. To learn more about cancer rates in the United States and across the world, Cancer.Net talked with Richard L. Schilsky, MD.

Q: In what countries are cancer rates increasing the most, and what are some reasons this is happening?

A: Cancer rates are on the rise primarily in low and middle income countries around the world, particularly India, China, and the countries of Africa. As the populations of these countries increase and grow older, more cancer cases are being diagnosed. The increasing cancer incidence (number of new cases) is attributable to a large extent to the use of tobacco products—one-half of the world’s smokers are in India and China—and to chronic viral infections, particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV), which causes liver cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cancer of the cervix and certain forms of head and neck cancer. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related cancers continue to be a problem in Africa.

Q: What are some strategies for nations to help control the growth of new cancer cases?

A: First and foremost, it is necessary to establish and support tobacco control and smoking cessation (quitting smoking) programs. Equally important is the development of vaccination programs for HBV and HPV. Such programs have the potential to eventually eliminate most cases of liver and cervical cancer. Finally, cancer screening strategies that are known to save lives—Pap tests, mammograms, colorectal cancer screening—must be established and widely disseminated to the general population in every country.

Q: Why should people in the United States be concerned about cancer in other countries?

A: We are citizens of the world, not just of the United States, and we should be concerned about the toll that cancer takes on all people and about the economic burden that cancer creates for the global economy. Many people with cancer around the world lack access not only to standard cancer treatment but also to effective palliative care (care given to reduce side effects, such as pain). Large numbers of people in poorly developed countries die in pain because they do not have access to morphine and other pain medications. We should do all we can to relieve the burden of suffering for people with cancer wherever they live.

Q: How does the progress against cancer in the United States compare with the rest of the world?

A: Substantial progress continues to be made against cancer in the United States, Canada and Western Europe. The recently published Annual Report to the Nation shows that the number of new cases of cancer, as well as the number of deaths from cancer, are declining, particularly for lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. Important variations exist, however, and certain cancer diagnoses, such as kidney cancer, lymphoma, and melanoma, continue to be on the rise. Lung cancer rates continue to increase in women even though they are falling in men, and certain parts of the country, particularly the South, have higher incidence and death rates than other regions.

Q: What are some possible reasons for the decline in the number of new cases and deaths from cancer in the United States?

A: We have begun to turn the corner on cancer incidence and death rates in the United States because of a multi-pronged approach that includes research into the causes and effective treatments of cancer; robust smoking cessation programs in many parts of the country; widespread availability of known, effective screening strategies such as Pap tests, mammograms, and colonoscopy; and improvements in cancer treatment, particularly adjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy given after surgery to help reduce the risk of cancer returning after treatment) for breast and colorectal cancer.

Q: What does this mean for patients?

A: People diagnosed with cancer in the United States today have a better chance of being cured of their disease now than at any time in history because the disease is increasingly diagnosed early when it is most curable. If a cure is not possible, many treatments are available that can prolong life for significant periods of time with few side effects. Sustaining this progress requires continued investment in biomedical research, and patients and their family members should urge the new Congress and administration to continue to invest in cancer research for the benefit of future people with cancer around the world.

Dr. Schilsky is Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago and Chairman of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B, a national clinical research group sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Schilsky is the 2008-2009 ASCO President.

More Information

Learning About Cancer: Statistics

Prevention

Additional Resources

Journal of the National Cancer Institute: Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975–2005, Featuring Trends in Lung Cancer, Tobacco Use, and Tobacco Control

World Health Organization: Cancer

Last Updated: December 16, 2008