Current and future burden of breast cancer: Global statistics
for 2020 and 2040
by Melina Arnold, Eileen Morgan, Harriet Rumgay, Allini
Mafra, Deependra Singh, Mathieu Laversanne, Jerome Vignat, Julie R. Gralow,
Fatima Cardoso, Sabine Siesling, Isabelle Soerjomataram
The Breast: September 01, 2022
Background
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer
worldwide, and its burden has been rising over the past decades. In this
article, we examine and describe the global burden of breast cancer in 2020 and
predictions for the year 2040.
Methods
Estimates of new female breast cancer cases and deaths in
2020 were abstracted from the GLOBOCAN database. Age-standardized incidence and
mortality rates were calculated per 100,000 females by country, world region,
and level of human development. Predicted cases and deaths were computed based
on global demographic projections for the year 2040.
Results
Over 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths from breast
cancer occurred in 2020. Large geographic variation across countries and world
regions exists, with incidence rates ranging from <40 per 100,000 females in
some Asian and African countries, to over 80 per 100,000 in Australia/New
Zealand, Northern America, and parts of Europe. Smaller geographical variation
was observed for mortality; however, transitioning countries continue to carry
a disproportionate share of breast cancer deaths relative to transitioned
countries. By 2040, the burden from breast cancer is predicted to increase to
over 3 million new cases and 1 million deaths every year because of population
growth and ageing alone.
Conclusion
Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and
continues to have a large impact on the global number of cancer deaths. Global
efforts are needed to counteract its growing burden, especially in
transitioning countries where incidence is rising rapidly, and mortality rates
remain high.
