Breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the most common form of the disease, accounting for nearly 12% of new cases each year worldwide, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday.
"For the first time, breast cancer now constitutes the most commonly occurring cancer globally," Andre Ilbawi, a cancer specialist at the WHO, told a UN briefing ahead of World Cancer Day on Thursday.
Lung cancer was the most common type for the last two decades, but is now in second place, ahead of colorectal cancer, which is the third most widespread, Ilbawi said.
An estimated 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed last year, representing 11.7% of all cancer cases, the WHO said in a statement. "Among women, breast cancer is the most commonly-diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide," it said.
Ilbawi noted that obesity in women was a common risk factor in breast cancer, and is also driving overall cancer numbers.
As the global population grows and life expectancy increases, cancer is expected to become more common, rising to about 30 million new cases per year in 2040 from 19.3 million in 2020, Ilbawi said.
The WHO, warning against risk factors, said that around one third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, and alcohol use.
The coronavirus pandemic is disrupting cancer treatment in about half the countries it surveyed, Ilbawi said, pointing to delays in diagnosis, healthcare workers being under extreme stress and research being impacted.
How This Mpox Outbreak Is Different, According To Experts WHO Says Droplets A Minor Route Of Mpox Spread. What We Know So Far Hina Khan Celebrates Mother's Birthday Amid Breast Cancer Battle. Watch Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report "I Only Hope...": Actor Jayasurya Breaks Silence On Sex Harassment Charges Manipur Chief Minister Slams Tejashwi Yadav Over "Racist" Jab At Himanta Sarma "I Only Hope...": Actor Jayasurya Breaks Silence On Sex Harassment Charges Over 700 Protestors Sent To Security Jails In Venezuela After Elections TS ICET Counselling 2024 Registration Process Begins Today Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.