The heart disease may be losing its number one position in the next two years, the cancer quickly takes its number one spot killer. In reports released Tuesday by international health experts, cases and deaths by cancer worldwide will more than double by the year 2030, with the cancer to become the number one cause of death in the world by 2010.
international Agency of the World Health Organization for cancer research reported that 12.4 million people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year, and 7.6 million people will die in the world. Much of this trend is attributed to a growing population, the rise in cancer cases in aging populations (such as cancer is more common in the elderly), and an increase in the rate of smoking in poorer countries.
Lung cancer was the most common form of new cases and deaths for men and breast cancer the most common type in women, according to the report. There are more deaths in men than women cancer, and cancer currently accounts for about one eight deaths worldwide. Many forms of cancer are still incurable, such as mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers in the air.
Peter Boyle, director of the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer said that "this is going to present amazing problems at all levels in all societies around the world" to during a news conference. He also said "there are more deaths in the world from cancer than from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined."
Once considered a problem for westernized countries, rich and industrialized, cancer has become a global burden and began to influence the poor countries and middle-income as well. Although rich countries have made progress in removing cigarette smoke, one of the most common causes of lung cancer and other diseases, the tobacco industry has found new customers in countries developing, with limited health budgets. This means that cancer treatment facilities are out of reach for many people, and rescue treatments are rarely available, according to Boyle.
Although there has been progress against cancer in the United States and Europe through regular screenings for breast and colorectal cancer, an overall decline in smoking rates and cancer treatments improved, the global threat of cancer has not been recognized in some developing countries. For this reason, there was a meeting of organizations seeking government action, including a request to ratify an international treaty to fight against smoking. These organizations include the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Cancer Institute of Mexico, among others.
