A new report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated 20.6 million new cases of cancer and close to 10 million deaths are recorded globally every year, while the disease remains the second leading cause of death, after cardiovascular disease.
This was as the Federal Government expanded financial support for cancer patients through targeted health funds and insurance initiatives, while ramping up investments in local research, drug production and clinical trials to improve access to affordable cancer care.
The WHO report noted that cancer claims more than 26,000 lives daily, and without urgent action, yearly cancer cases are projected to rise to nearly 35 million by 2050.
According to the WHO Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, developed jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), reversing this trend will require a fundamental shift towards a people centred approach that responds to the health needs and lived experiences of affected people and communities.
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of progress across key areas, including political commitment, cancer prevention particularly through tobacco control and vaccination programmes and investment in treatment.