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Cancer Key Facts and Statistics

Last Updated on Apr 04, 2023

Cancer is a disease in which body’s cell grows uncontrollably. Sometimes, it can spread to other body tissue which process is called metastasis. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. It largely caused by genetic defects in the DNA. Early detection of cancer can reduce the chance of death. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and take regular medical care to prevent cancer (4 Trusted Source
The genetics of breast cancer: risk factors for disease

Go to source
).

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Cancer Key Facts and Statistics

Atleast 1 in 3 cancer deaths could be prevented through routine screening, early detection and treatment. Below are some interesting facts and statistics on cancer.

Reason for Cancer

  • Tobacco use is the major preventable cause of cancer in the world (2 Trusted Source
    Cancer

    Go to source
    ).

Most Common Cancers

  • Cancers of the Lung, Prostate and colorectal are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men (3 Trusted Source
    Worldwide cancer data

    Go to source
    )
  • Cancers of the Breast, colorectal, lung and cervix are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women (3 Trusted Source
    Worldwide cancer data

    Go to source
    )
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Risk of Cancer

  • Relative risk of developing breast cancer is doubled if there is a history of a first degree relative having the cancer (4 Trusted Source
    The genetics of breast cancer: risk factors for disease

    Go to source
    ).
  • Lifetime risk of an American man developing an invasive cancer is 42.05% and 37.58% in women (6 Trusted Source
    The Risk of Cancer Might be Lower Than We Think. Alternatives to Lifetime Risk Estimates

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    )
  • Relative risk of a smoker developing lung cancer is 23 times higher than that of a non-smoker (7 Trusted Source
    Smoking and Lung Cancer

    Go to source
    ).
  • Around 30 and 50% of cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors and prevention strategies (2 Trusted Source
    Cancer

    Go to source
    ).

Diagnosis of Cancer

  • Pap smear for cervical cancer is the single best cancer screening procedure (5 Trusted Source
    Cervical Cancer Screening

    Go to source
    )
  • Most common new cases of cancer in 2020 were breast (2.26 million), lung (2.21 million), colon and rectum (1.93 million), prostate (1.41 million), skin (non-melonoma) (1.20 million), and stomach (1.09 million) (2 Trusted Source
    Cancer

    Go to source
    )
  • 18.1 million new cases of cancer were estimated around world in 2020 (3 Trusted Source
    Worldwide cancer data

    Go to source
    ).

Cancer Death Rates

  • 10 million people die from cancer every year (1 Trusted Source
    What is Cancer?

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    )
  • 1 in 6 deaths that occur in the world is due to cancer (2 Trusted Source
    Cancer

    Go to source
    )
  •  Cancer deaths outnumber deaths due to AIDS, tuberculosis and Malaria combined
  • 70% of cancer deaths occur in low to middle income countries (1 Trusted Source
    What is Cancer?

    Go to source
    )
  • Atleast 1 in 3 cancer deaths could be prevented through routine screening, early detection and treatment (1 Trusted Source
    What is Cancer?

    Go to source
    )
  • In developing countries more deaths occur due to diarrheal disease than due to cancer. Heart disease is still the no.1 Killer in the world.

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    • 1. What is Cancer? - (https://www.worldcancerday.org/what-cancer)
    • 2. Cancer - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer)
    • 3. Worldwide cancer data - (https://www.wcrf.org/cancer-trends/worldwide-cancer-data/)
    • 4. The genetics of breast cancer: risk factors for disease - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681174/)
    • 5. Cervical Cancer Screening - (https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/screening)
    • 6. The Risk of Cancer Might be Lower Than We Think. Alternatives to Lifetime Risk Estimates - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796733/)
    • 7. Smoking and Lung Cancer - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4080902/)

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    Post a Comment

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    Comments

    Dannien, United States

    inject cancer cells' digesting chemicals to get entire cancer out from surrounding cells. like an HCL type drug? disssolve cancer cells by injection. not digging out, but like when freezing samples. dann van central valley ca.

    Zuhura43, Kenya

    Iam a 43 yr old woman and my sister passed on in2008 due to throat cancer eversince I have been worried everytime I get tonsils or any infection.PLEASE ADVICE.

    Alice_m, United States

    Brother-in-law with diagnosed prostate cancer took green tea, soy "nuts" and vit. D3 while waiting for surgery which never happened since cancer disappreared. Cancer still gone 5 yrs+

    V.Rajalakshmi

    The pap smear is one of the best test for finding cellular abnormalities and reduces the risk . But it is not the only test since there are test to identify the presence of virus even before there is any cell abnormalities.Hence pap test along with HPV test gives a 100% sensitivity. Hence please mention about the other test also.The HPV test is approved by US FDA and it helps the patient to be followed and the cervical cancer can be cured completely if identified in the earlier stages.

    Bob, United States

    Very interesting facts indeed. Prostate cancer is very common in men and is second most cancer in men after lung cancer. Howeever it does not necessary lethal in most men as most of the time it is slow growing. The word cancer always incites fear. but amoong all cancer I would rather have prostate cancer than lung or stomach cancer. Some skin cancers also do not spread (eg basla cell cancer); so before getting worried one should always check the fact sheet on the cancer.

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