A widening gap in cancer survival rates between high-income and low-income countries is exposing deep inequalities in access to healthcare, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that millions of lives are being lost due to delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options.
A new WHO report estimates that cancer claims more than 26,000 lives globally every day, creating a growing health and economic challenge for societies worldwide.
The report highlights how a person’s chances of surviving cancer are increasingly influenced by their location, with patients in wealthier countries benefiting from earlier detection, advanced treatment options and stronger healthcare systems.
According to the findings, while about one in four people in Europe and North America may develop cancer, only around one in 12 die from the disease. However, survival outcomes are significantly poorer in sub-Saharan Africa, where many patients face barriers to timely diagnosis and quality care.
The disparity is particularly evident in breast cancer treatment. The WHO report indicates that nearly 90 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in high-income countries survive for at least five years, compared with just over 40 per cent in low-income countries.
Breast cancer survivor and patient advocate Abigail Simon-Hart said access to private medical insurance helped her receive prompt diagnosis and treatment in the United Kingdom, but noted that many patients in countries such as Nigeria continue to struggle with late detection, limited healthcare services and high treatment costs.
She said unequal access to medical care often determines whether cancer patients receive life-saving interventions early enough.
The WHO estimates that the world recorded about 20.6 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths annually, with projections showing new cases could rise to almost 35 million by 2050 if urgent measures are not taken.
The organisation is calling for stronger investment in cancer prevention, early detection programmes and affordable treatment to close the global cancer care gap.
Health experts say expanding access to screening services, improving healthcare infrastructure and reducing financial barriers will be critical to preventing cancer from becoming an even greater burden, particularly in developing regions.
