Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries.

This article presents global cancer statistics by world region for the year 2022 based on updated estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). There were close to 20 million new cases of cancer in the year 2022 (including nonmelanoma skin cancers [NMSCs]) alongside 9.7 million deaths from cancer (including NMSC). The estimates suggest that approximately one in five men or women develop cancer in a lifetime, whereas around one in nine men and one in 12 women die from it. Lung cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in 2022, responsible for almost 2.5 million new cases, or one in eight cancers worldwide (12.4% of all cancers globally), followed by cancers of the female breast (11.6%), colorectum (9.6%), prostate (7.3%), and stomach (4.9%). Lung cancer was also the leading cause of cancer death, with an estimated 1.8 million deaths (18.7%), followed by colorectal (9.3%), liver (7.8%), female breast (6.9%), and stomach (6.8%) cancers. Breast cancer and lung cancer were the most frequent cancers in women and men, respectively (both cases and deaths). Incidence rates (including NMSC) varied from four-fold to five-fold across world regions, from over 500 in Australia/New Zealand (507.9 per 100,000) to under 100 in Western Africa (97.1 per 100,000) among men, and from over 400 in Australia/New Zealand (410.5 per 100,000) to close to 100 in South-Central Asia (103.3 per 100,000) among women. The authors examine the geographic variability across 20 world regions for the 10 leading cancer types, discussing recent trends, the underlying determinants, and the prospects for global cancer prevention and control. With demographics-based predictions indicating that the number of new cases of cancer will reach 35 million by 2050, investments in prevention, including the targeting of key risk factors for cancer (including smoking, overweight and obesity, and infection), could avert millions of future cancer diagnoses and save many lives worldwide, bringing huge economic as well as societal dividends to countries over the forthcoming decades.

A blueprint for the primary prevention of cancer: Targeting established, modifiable risk factors.

In the United States, it is estimated that more than 1.7 million people will be diagnosed with cancer, and more than 600,000 will die of the disease in 2018. The financial costs associated with cancer risk factors and cancer care are enormous. To substantially reduce both the number of individuals diagnosed with and dying from cancer and the costs associated with cancer each year in the United States, government and industry and the public health, medical, and scientific communities must work together to develop, invest in, and implement comprehensive cancer control goals and strategies at the national level and expand ongoing initiatives at the state and local levels. This report is the second in a series of articles in this journal that, together, describe trends in cancer rates and the scientific evidence on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship to inform the identification of priorities for a comprehensive cancer control plan. Herein, we focus on existing evidence about established, modifiable risk factors for cancer, including prevalence estimates and the cancer burden due to each risk factor in the United States, and established primary prevention recommendations and interventions to reduce exposure to each risk factor.

An assessment of progress in cancer control.

This article summarizes cancer mortality trends and disparities based on data from the National Center for Health Statistics. It is the first in a series of articles that will describe the American Cancer Society's vision for how cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment can be transformed to lower the cancer burden in the United States, and sets the stage for a national cancer control plan, or blueprint, for the American Cancer Society goals for reducing cancer mortality by the year 2035. Although steady progress in reducing cancer mortality has been made over the past few decades, it is clear that much more could, and should, be done to save lives through the comprehensive application of currently available evidence-based public health and clinical interventions to all segments of the population. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;000:000-000. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Navigating the economic challenges in childhood cancer control in low- and middle-income countries: Insights from the CC-BRIDGE tool and the global initiative for childhood cancer.

The increasing incidence of childhood cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) presents significant economic and logistical challenges, affecting health care provision and equitable treatment access. This editorial explores the economic barriers to pediatric oncology care in LMICs, highlighting resource scarcity, socioeconomic inequities, and health care complexities. It emphasizes the need for detailed cost analysis within health systems complicated by inadequate data and variable treatment protocols. Central to the discussion is the "Childhood Cancers Budgeting Rapidly to Incorporate Disadvantaged Groups for Equity (CC-BRIDGE) Tool" from the manuscript by Nancy Bolous et al., who proposed an innovative method to estimate the cost of integrating childhood cancer services into National Cancer Control Plans. This tool aligns with the World Health Organization's Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer to enhance survival rates and advocate for universal health coverage in pediatric oncology. The CC-BRIDGE tool's methodological rigor provides a structured framework for cost analysis. Yet, it is recognized as an initial step requiring further enhancements for comprehensive economic forecasting and societal cost assessments. In conclusion, the editorial highlights the tool's critical role in incorporating childhood cancer care into national strategies in LMICs, contributing to the broader fight against cancer and advocating for comprehensive, equitable health care. It signifies a vital stride toward addressing pediatric oncology's economic challenges and supporting universal health coverage for childhood cancer care.

LGBTQ+ cancer: priority or lip service? A qualitative content analysis of LGBTQ+ considerations in U.S. state, jurisdiction, and tribal comprehensive cancer control plans.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded program, supports cancer coalitions across the United States (US) in efforts to prevent and control cancer including development of comprehensive cancer control (CCC) plans. CCC plans often focus health equity within their priorities, but it is unclear to what extent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, plus (LGBTQ+) populations are considered in CCC plans. We qualitatively examined to what extent LGBTQ+ populations were referenced in 64 U.S. state, jurisdiction, tribes, and tribal organization CCC plans. A total of 55% of CCC plans mentioned LGBTQ+ populations, however, only one in three CCC plans mentioned any kind of LGBTQ+ inequity or LGBTQ+ specific recommendations. Even fewer plans included mention of LGBTQ+ specific resources, organizations, or citations. At the same time almost three fourths of plans conflated sex and gender throughout their CCC plans. The findings of this study highlight the lack of prioritization of LGBTQ+ populations in CCC plans broadly while highlighting exemplar plans that can serve as a roadmap to more inclusive future CCC plans. Comprehensive cancer control plans can serve as a key policy and advocacy structure to promote a focus on LGBTQ+ cancer prevention and control.

Adaptive Cancer Therapy in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence.

Therapeutic resistance is a major challenge facing the design of effective cancer treatments. Adaptive cancer therapy is in principle the most viable approach to manage cancer's adaptive dynamics through drug combinations with dose timing and modulation. However, there are numerous open issues facing the clinical success of adaptive therapy. Chief among these issues is the feasibility of real-time predictions of treatment response which represent a bedrock requirement of adaptive therapy. Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to learn prediction models of treatment response from clinical, molecular, and radiomics data about patients and their treatments. The article explores this potential through a proposed integration model of Generative Pre-Trained Transformers (GPTs) in a closed loop with adaptive treatments to predict the trajectories of disease progression. The conceptual model and the challenges facing its realization are discussed in the broader context of artificial intelligence integration in oncology.

Psychosocial and palliative care in African national cancer control plans: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Low and middle income countries of Africa account for a disproportionate amount of the global health burden of cancer. Providing patients access to psychosocial oncology and palliative care through policy structures such as the National Cancer Control Plans (NCCP) is essential to improving the care provided to patients and their families. The first phase of this study sought to determine the extent to which palliative care and psychosocial oncology were integrated in NCCPs in African countries. METHODS: A qualitative thematic analysis of the plans was used using Nvivo, with two-raters coding and continuous team discussions. Data were organized into an infographic map showing the coverage of themes across African countries. RESULTS: Fifty-eight NCCPs and NCD plans were analyzed in the 54 countries in Africa. The findings illustrate a lack of standardization across countries' NCCPs in addressing psychosocial oncology and palliative care themes. Certain areas presented good coverage across several plans, such as barriers to access, education, awareness, and health behaviors, coordination of care, families, caregivers and community involvement, and palliative care. Other themes presented low coverage, such as doctor-patient communication, mental health, bereavement, psychosocial care, survivorship care, and traditional medicine. CONCLUSIONS: One may consider further developing NCCP areas as they pertain to psychosocial oncology and palliative care to ensure their proper place on the policy agenda for a healthier Africa.

Colorectal cancer research priorities in Uganda: perspectives from local key experts and stakeholders.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in Uganda but there is limited local research to guide policy and programming for CRC prevention and control. A stakeholder engagement workshop took place in Kampala on 19 March 2024 to identify challenges and opportunities for CRC prevention and control in Uganda. A total of 30 stakeholders with expertise in CRC primary and secondary prevention, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care as well as cancer survivors participated in the workshop. Key challenges for primary prevention included low knowledge/awareness of CRC among the general population and health workers, and rising prevalence of CRC related risk factors. Limited CRC screening, diagnostic facilities and specialists were identified as barriers to diagnosis. Treatment related challenges included limited accessibility to surgical services and drugs, late-stage presentation leading to poor treatment response, treatment abandonment and drug related toxicity. Lack of universal health coverage policies, limited community-based cancer awareness programs, and lack of national cancer registries were cited as policy and economics challenges. Opportunities to address these challenges were discussed. Our findings highlight areas for further research and prioritization to address Uganda's growing CRC burden and may be applicable to other low-resource settings.

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Current advances of oral cancer in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To provide updated statistics of oral cancer incidence and mortality in Taiwan, and to describe recent developments for oral cancer control to reduce oral cancer incidence and mortality. METHODS: The Taiwan Cancer Registry Annual Report 2023, the Taiwan Cancer Registry Online Interactive Search System, and the 2023 Health Promotion Administration Annual Report are consulted and summarized. A literature search using PubMed was also conducted to identify Taiwan oral cancer control-related studies. RESULTS: Taiwan, with a long history of areca/betel quid chewing, has battled with oral cancer for decades. In 2021, the male lip and oral cavity cancer incidence is 29.77 (per 100,000 persons) and mortality is 11.25. Over these years, the male chewing prevalence was reduced to 6.2% in 2018. Taiwan has a sustained national oral cancer screening programme provided to high-risk groups biennially. CONCLUSIONS: Although the age-standardized incidence rates have been slowly decreasing since 2009, due to Taiwan's ageing population, the actual oral cancer burden is still stringent. The collaboration of multi-ministries and agencies on promoting areca nut and betel quid control, improving oral cancer awareness, and delivering cancer care remains essential to prevent oral cancer and reduce oral cancer deaths.

Cancer Education Status in China (2013-2022).

The incidence and mortality rates of cancer in China have an increasing trend, with a remarkable rise in the number of new cases and deaths. Despite this, cancer profile and regional distribution remained relatively stable. China realized a series of initiatives and issued strategic documents to improve cancer education. These include the establishment of a three-tier cancer prevention program and the fulfillment of various guidelines and plans, including the Healthy China Action-Cancer control Implementation Plan (2019-2022). This comprehensive review describes the status of cancer education in China from 2013 to 2022 discussing the role of different cancer education places and that of educators. It also highlights the use of innovative educational methods and educational evaluations, which are effective in improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. Although the Chinese government has taken many measures to improve cancer education in China, several issues remain unresolved. Challenges such as the wide spectrum of tumors, the aging population, and the huge urban-rural disparities require further investment from Chinese government. In addition, cancer control in China started relatively late and lacks the support of specific legislation to control it. It is therefore necessary to increase the investment in cancer education, especially in rural areas and the legislation in areas related to cancer control should be improved to increase the accessibility and quality of education on tumor prevention and treatment.

Perspectives of an NCI T32 Training Program Designed to Train a Diverse Workforce in Cancer Health Equity Research.

With cancer health disparities on the rise in the United States (USA), there is an increased need for novel approaches to address these challenges. One such approach that may help address these disparities is increasing diversity in the biomedical research workforce. The Cancer Health Equity and Career Development Program (CHECDP) embodies this approach by recruiting and training underrepresented minorities in cancer research to develop the skills and training needed to be competitive for independent research careers, thus diversifying the biomedical research workforce. The training model that CHECDP employs is unique with its funding through the NCI training mechanism, its strong institutional support, and its participant-driven curriculum. The curriculum includes educational, career, and leadership opportunities that are continuously evaluated for sustained impact. The program has been comprised of mostly under-represented minorities that have been propelled to independent careers with a high rate of funded career development awards. Our T32 program serves as a model of success for other programs seeking to diversify the biomedical research workforce and reduce cancer health disparities.

Postoperative functional and cancer control evaluation of conventional and Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Comparison of selected cases by propensity score matching.

AIM: Although many reports have shown that Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) is effective for postoperative urinary continence, the postoperative voiding status and sexual function associated with this technique have not yet been adequately compared with those associated with conventional RARP (C-RARP). In this study, the lower urinary tract function, erectile function, and cancer control after C-RARP and RS-RARP were compared chronologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 50 cases of C-RARP and RS-RARP each by propensity score matching and evaluated them over time using various questionnaires. Urinary continence recovery rates and biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between the two groups using the log-rank test. RESULTS: When urinary continence was defined as 0 pads per day, 0 pads per day + 1 security linear, or ≤1 pad per day, the postoperative improvement in urinary continence was better with RS-RARP over the course of up to 1 year for all definitions. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form total scores and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores were better in the postoperative RS-RARP group. There were no significant differences in the International Prostate Symptom Score total score, QOL score, and erectile hardness score between the two groups during the observation period. The BCR-free survival did not differ significantly between the two groups CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative urinary continence was better in the RS-RARP group than in the C-RARP group; however, the voiding function, erectile function, and cancer control did not differ significantly.

Cancers Attributable to Modifiable Risk Factors: A Road Map for Prevention.

The implementation of primary and secondary preventive strategies is based on the evidence generated by cancer epidemiology, where the identification of risk factors and the description of their prevalence are fundamental to derive estimates on the burden of cancer from different etiologies, typically expressed as the population attributable fraction, which corresponds to the proportion of a cancer that may be prevented by controlling a given risk factor. However, even when cancer finds its etiology in modifiable factors, its prevention through the control of those factors is not always feasible, or it remains suboptimal despite the possibility of reducing the burden. We reviewed selected associations between modifiable risk factors and cancer, including tobacco smoking, occupational exposures, infections, air pollution, alcohol, and diet and obesity, and illustrated examples of both successes and failures in cancer control, underlying how current understanding of the avoidable causes of cancer is incomplete.

Prioritizing rural populations in state comprehensive cancer control plans: a qualitative assessment.

PURPOSE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) requires that states develop comprehensive cancer control (CCC) plans and recommends that disparities related to rural residence are addressed in these plans. The objective of this study was to explore rural partner engagement and describe effective strategies for incorporating a rural focus in CCC plans. METHODS: States were selected for inclusion using stratified sampling based on state rurality and region. State cancer control leaders were interviewed about facilitators and barriers to engaging rural partners and strategies for prioritizing rural populations. Content analysis was conducted to identify themes across states. RESULTS: Interviews (n = 30) revealed themes in three domains related to rural inclusion in CCC plans. The first domain (barriers) included (1) designing CCC plans to be broad, (2) defining "rural populations," and (3) geographic distance. The second domain (successful strategies) included (1) collaborating with rural healthcare systems, (2) recruiting rural constituents, (3) leveraging rural community-academic partnerships, and (4) working jointly with Native nations. The third domain (strategies for future plan development) included (1) building relationships with rural communities, (2) engaging rural constituents in planning, (3) developing a better understanding of rural needs, and (4) considering resources for addressing rural disparities. CONCLUSION: Significant relationship building with rural communities, resource provision, and successful strategies used by others may improve inclusion of rural needs in state comprehensive cancer control plans and ultimately help plan developers directly address rural cancer health disparities.

Building relationships to connect cancer researchers with community members: 'bench to community pipeline'.

PURPOSE: Partnerships between researchers and community members and organizations can offer multiple benefits for research relevance and dissemination. The goal of this project was to build infrastructure to create bidirectional relationships between University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) researchers and community educators in the Division of Extension, which connects the knowledge and resources of the university to communities across the state. METHODS: This project had three aims: (1) create linkages with Extension; (2) establish an in-reach program to educate and train researchers on the science of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE); and (3) identify and facilitate collaborative projects between scientists and communities. Survey and focus group-based needs assessments were completed with both researchers and Extension educators and program activity evaluations were conducted. RESULTS: Most Extension educators (71%) indicated a strong interest in partnering on COE projects. UWCCC faculty indicated interest in further disseminating their research, but also indicated barriers in connecting with communities. Outreach webinars were created and disseminated to community, a "COE in-reach toolkit" for faculty was created and a series of "speed networking" events were hosted to pair researchers and community. Evaluations indicated the acceptability and usefulness of these activities and supported continuation of collaborative efforts. CONCLUSION: Continued relationship and skill building, along with a sustainability plan, is critical to support the translation of basic, clinical, and population research to action in the community outreach and engagement context. Further incentives for faculty should be explored for the recruitment of basic scientists into community engagement work.

Supporting implementation science and health equity in cancer prevention and control through research networks.

The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) is a national network of academic, public health, and community organizational partners across multiple geographic sites who collaborate to reduce the cancer burden in diverse communities. Given key recommendations that suggest the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration in cancer prevention and control, we sought to explore the historical and contemporary evolution of health equity and disparities research as an area of focus within the CPCRN over time. We conducted 22 in-depth interviews with former and current leaders, co-investigators, and other members of the network. Several key themes emerged from data that were analyzed and interpreted using a constructivist, reflexive, thematic analysis approach. Nearly all participants reported a strong focus on studying health disparities since the inception of the CPCRN, which offered the network a distinct advantage in recent years for incorporating an intentional focus on health equity. Recent law enforcement injustices and the inequities observed during the COVID-19 pandemic have further invigorated network activities around health equity, such as development of a health equity-focused workgroup toolkit, among other cross-center activities. Several participants noted that, in terms of deep, meaningful, and impactful health equity-oriented research, there are still great strides for the network to make, while also acknowledging CPCRN as well-aligned with the national dialogue led by federal agency partners around health equity. Finally, several future directions were mentioned by the participants, including a focus on supporting a diverse workforce and engaging organizational partners and community members in equity-focused research. Findings from these interviews provide direction for the network in advancing the science in cancer prevention and control, with a strengthened focus on health equity.

Cancer survivorship experiences in Utah: an evaluation assessing indicators of survivors' quality of life, health behaviors, and access to health services.

PURPOSE: The 2016-2020 Utah Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Plan prioritized strategies to address cancer survivorship experiences. In this paper we present estimates for nine indicators evaluating these priorities, trends over time, and assess disparities in survivorship experiences across demographic subgroups. METHODS: We surveyed a representative sample of Utah cancer survivors diagnosed between 2012 and 2019 with any reportable cancer diagnosis. We calculated weighted percentages and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each indicator. We assessed change over time using a test for trend across survey years in a logistic regression model and used Rao-Scott F-adjusted chi-square tests to test the association between demographic characteristics and each survivorship indicator. RESULTS: Most of the 1,793 respondents (93.5%) reported their pain was under control, 85.7% rated their overall health as good, very good, or excellent, but 46.5% experienced physical, mental, or emotional limitations. Only 1.7% of survivors aged 75 or older were current smokers, compared to 5.8% of 65-74-year-olds and 7.9% of survivors aged 55-74 (p < 0.006). No regular physical activity was reported by 20.6% and varied by survivor age and education level. The proportion who received a survivorship care plan increased from 34.6% in 2018 to 43.0% in 2021 (p = 0.025). However, survivors under age 55 were significantly less likely to receive a care plan than older survivors. CONCLUSION: This representative survey of cancer survivors fills a gap in understanding of the cancer survivorship experience in Utah. Results can be used to evaluate and plan additional interventions to improve survivorship quality of life.

Addressing cancer care in low- to middle-income countries: a call for sustainable innovations and impactful research.

Most new cancer cases are currently arising in low- and middle-income countries, where their outcomes are significantly poorer compared to high-income countries. Innovative solutions are imperiously needed to prevent, detect early, and manage cancer in low- and middle-income countries, aiming to improve the chances of survival.

Global prevalence and content of information about alcohol use as a cancer risk factor on Twitter.

OBJECTIVES: Alcohol use is a major risk factor for several forms of cancer, though many people have limited knowledge of this link. Public health communicators and cancer advocates desire to increase awareness of this link with the long-term goal of reducing cancer burden. The current study is the first to examine the prevalence and content of information about alcohol use as a cancer risk on social media internationally. METHODS: We used a three-phase process (hashtag search, dictionary-based auto-identification of content, and human coding of content) to identify and evaluate information from Twitter posts between January 2019 and December 2021. RESULTS: Our hashtag search retrieved a large set of cancer-related tweets (N = 1,122,397). The automatic search process using an alcohol dictionary identified a small number of messages about cancer that also mentioned alcohol (n = 9061, 0.8%), a number that got small after adjusting for human coded estimates of the dictionary precision (n = 5927, 0.5%). When cancer-related messages also mentioned alcohol, 82% (n = 1003 of 1225 examined through human coding) indicated alcohol use as a risk factor. Coding found rare instances of problematic information (e.g., promotion of alcohol, misinformation) in messages about alcohol use and cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Few social media messages about cancer types that can be linked to alcohol mention alcohol as a cancer risk factor. If public health communicators and cancer advocates want to increase knowledge and understanding of alcohol use as a cancer risk factor, efforts will need to be made on social media and through other communication platforms to increase exposure to this information over time.

Implementing and monitoring the right to health in breast cancer: selection of indicators using a Delphi process.

BACKGROUND: Women with breast cancer have different chances of surviving their disease, depending on where they live. Variations in survival may stem from unequal access to prompt diagnosis, treatment and care. Implementation of the right to health may help remedy such inequalities. The right to health is enshrined in international human rights law, notably Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. A human rights-based approach to health requires a robust, just and efficient health system, with access to adequate health services and medicines on a non-discriminatory basis. However, it may prove challenging for health policymakers and cancer management specialists to implement and monitor this right in national health systems. METHOD: This article presents the results of a Delphi study designed to select indicators of implementation of the right to health to inform breast cancer care and management. In a systematic process, 13 experts examined an initial list of 151 indicators. RESULTS: After two rounds, 54 indicators were selected by consensus, three were rejected, three were added, and 97 remained open for debate. For breast cancer, right-to-health features selected as worth implementing and monitoring included the formal recognition of the right to health in breast cancer strategies; a population-based screening programme, prompt diagnosis, strong referral systems and limited waiting times; the provision of palliative, survivorship and end-of-life care; the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality (AAAQ) of breast cancer services and medicines; the provision of a system of accountability; and the collection of anonymised individual data to target patterns of discrimination. CONCLUSION: We propose a set of indicators as a guide for health policy experts seeking to design national cancer plans that are based on a human rights-based approach to health, and for cancer specialists aiming to implement principles of the right to health in their practice. The 54 indicators selected may be used in High-Income Countries, or member states of the OECD who also have signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to monitor progress towards implementation of the right to health for women with breast cancer.