Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Cancer contributes to a significant burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is estimated that one in six deaths globally is due to cancer, which equates to 10 million cancer deaths per year. The most common cancers worldwide include breast, lung, bowel and prostate cancers. The causes of death vary significantly across the globe; in high-income countries (HICs), cancers like breast, lung and prostate are the most prevalent; however, in LMICs, cancers which are related to chronic infections are more prevalent, such as cervical and liver cancer. Although the incidence of cancer is higher in HICs, improved cancer services for early detection, diagnosis and treatment means that the overall risk of mortality from cancer is lower in HIC. Overall, 75% of global cancer deaths occur in LMICs, highlighting the inequity in cancer care throughout the world.