31/12/2021
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020.
Late-stage presentation and lack of access to diagnosis and treatment are common, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
General signs and symptoms are fatigue, weight loss, pain, skin changes, change in bowel or bladder function, unusual bleeding, persistent cough or voice change, fever, lumps, or tissue masses.
The most common in 2020 were:
Breast (2.26 million cases);
Lung (2.21 million cases);
Colon and re**um (1.93 million cases);
Prostate (1.41 million cases);
Skin (non-melanoma) (1.20 million cases); and
Stomach (1.09 million cases).
The most common causes of cancer death in 2020 were:
Lung (1.80 million deaths);
Colon and re**um (935 000 deaths);
Liver (830 000 deaths);
Stomach (769 000 deaths); and
Breast (685 000 deaths
Early diagnosis and treatment is KEY