Shifting cancer burden in developing countries: A comprehensive analysis of GLOBOCAN data, 2022.

Abstract

e23307 Background: The global cancer landscape has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, with a notable shift in burden towards developing countries. Analysis of GLOBOCAN data from 2015-2024 reveals a concerning trend, projecting a 73% increase in cancer burden by 2030 in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This shift presents unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems already struggling with limited resources and infrastructure. Methods: Our comprehensive analysis utilized GLOBOCAN data spanning until 2022, examining cancer incidence, mortality patterns, regional variations, and economic impact across developing countries. The study incorporated multiple parameters including healthcare infrastructure capacity, screening program availability, and treatment accessibility to provide a holistic understanding of the cancer burden in LMICs. Results: The analysis revealed a significant increase in global cancer cases from 19.3 million in 2020 to 20 million in 2022, though mortality showed a slight decrease from 10.0 to 9.7 million deaths. In LMICs, breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers emerged as the most prevalent types. Notably, late-stage diagnosis remains predominant in these regions, significantly impacting survival rates. The economic burden has been found to disproportionately affect LMICs, primarily due to lack of comprehensive cancer prevention strategy, inadequate screening programs and limited healthcare infrastructure. Regional variations demonstrate higher mortality rates in areas with restricted access to early detection and treatment facilities. Conclusions: The escalating cancer burden in LMICs demands immediate attention and coordinated action. Priority areas include strengthening healthcare systems, enhancing screening programs, improving treatment accessibility, and fostering international collaboration for cancer prevention and control. Future initiatives should focus on the development comprehensive cancer prevention strategy, implementing cost-effective and accessible screening programs, training qualified workforce, conduction the quality research and developing targeted interventions based on successful regional cancer control programs. International collaboration should be fostering to take advantage of existing knowledge and experience. This comprehensive approach is essential for addressing the growing cancer burden in developing countries and reducing global health disparities.