Cancer is a complex disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. These cells have the ability to invade and destroy healthy tissues, interfering with vital bodily functions. Cancer is not a single disease, but a group of more than 200 different diseases, each with its own characteristics and treatment challenges.

Most common cancers:

The most frequent types of cancer worldwide include:

  • Lung cancer: It is the deadliest cancer and is strongly associated with smoking.
  • Breast cancer: It is the most common in women and can also affect men.
  • Colorectal cancer: It affects the colon and rectum, and its incidence is increasing in young adults.
  • Prostate cancer: It is the most common in men, especially in those over 50 years old.
  • Skin cancer: Includes melanoma, which is less common but more dangerous, and non-melanoma skin cancers.
  • Liver cancer: Its incidence is increasing, partly due to obesity and alcoholism.
  • Stomach cancer: It is particularly common in East Asia.
  • Cervical cancer: It is preventable through early detection.

Causes of cancer:

Cancer is caused by a complex combination of factors:

  • Genetic mutations: Changes in DNA that can be inherited or acquired during life.
  • Environmental factors: Exposure to carcinogens such as tobacco, asbestos, and certain chemicals.
  • Lifestyle: Habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of physical activity, and an unhealthy diet.
  • Age: The risk of cancer increases with age due to the accumulation of DNA damage.
  • Infections: Some viruses (such as HPV and hepatitis B and C) and bacteria can cause cellular changes that lead to cancer.
  • Chronic inflammation: Conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease can increase the risk of certain cancers.
  • Hormones: Hormonal changes or hormone therapies can influence the development of some cancers.

Cancer mechanisms

Cancer develops when normal cell growth control mechanisms fail. This can occur due to:

  • Activation of oncogenes: Genes that promote uncontrolled cell growth.
  • Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes: Genes that normally inhibit abnormal cell growth.
  • Alterations in DNA repair mechanisms: Leading to an accumulation of mutations.
  • Changes in the tumor microenvironment: Allowing cancer cells to evade the immune system and obtain nutrients.

Advances in cancer research

Immunotherapy

Stimulates the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Targeted therapies

Specifically attack molecular alterations in cancer cells.

Precision medicine

Tailors treatment to each patient’s tumor genetic profile.

Liquid biopsy

Allows cancer detection and monitoring through a simple blood test.

Global cancer statistics

In 2022, approximately 19.9 million new cancer cases were diagnosed worldwide. This number is projected to increase to 30.9 million new cases annually by 2045, representing a 55% increase.

Current incidence in the UK

  • Over 385,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed each year in the United Kingdom (2017-2019 data).
  • This equates to more than 1,000 new cancer cases diagnosed every day.

Future projections for 2035:

  • 514.000 new cancer cases.

Mortality

  • There are about 167,000 cancer deaths in the UK each year (2017-2019 data).
  • This equates to almost 460 cancer deaths every day.

Mortality projections for 2035:

  • 212.546 cancer deaths projected.

These statistics show a projected increase in the number of cancer cases in the United Kingdom.

Europe, Current incidence:

  • In 2022, Europe accounted for approximately 22.5% of new cancer cases worldwide.
  • This equates to about 4.47 million new cancer cases in Europe in 2022.

Future projection:

  • It is estimated that the number of new cancer cases in Europe will increase by 22.5% in the next two decades.
  • This means that by 2045, Europe could be experiencing around 5.48 million new cancer cases annually.

Mortality

  • The number of cancer deaths in Europe is projected to increase by 32% by 2045.
  • In 2022, an estimated 1,446,000 cancer deaths occurred in the EU and the UK.

United States Current incidence

  • In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 1,958,310 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States.

Future projection

  • Although a specific projection for the United States is not provided, a similar increase to the global 55% by 2045 can be inferred.
  • This would suggest approximately 3 million new cases annually by 2045.

Contributing factors to the increase

  1. Aging population.
  2. Exposure to risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, and pollution.
  3. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

These statistics underscore the growing global burden of cancer and the urgent need to improve prevention, early detection, and equitable access to quality treatments worldwide.