Overview

• In 2023 there were an estimated 18.5 million new cancer cases and 10.4 million deaths, with cases projected to reach 30.5 million by mid-century.
• About 42% of 2023 cancer deaths were linked to modifiable risks, led by tobacco which accounted for 21.4% of deaths.
• Trends diverge by income level, as age-standardized incidence fell in high- and upper-middle-income countries but rose sharply in lower-middle- and low-income countries from 1990 to 2023.
• In low-income settings, unprotected sex—primarily via HPV transmission—is the leading preventable cancer risk, and evidence supports effective HPV vaccination.
• Germany illustrates mixed progress, with a 3.3% rise in age-standardized incidence since 1990 alongside a 24.9% drop in cancer mortality, reflecting gains in prevention and treatment.