Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality - An analysis of GLOBOCAN 2022

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve

Given updated cancer burden estimates in GLOBOCAN 2022, this study evaluates cancer incidence and mortality through the lens of the Human Development Index (HDI) and major world economies. Cancer case and death data for 2022, with projections to 2050, are used to compare top cancers across China and HDI-classified regions. Age-standardized incidence (ASIR) and mortality (ASMR) patterns, sex and age stratifications, and future trends are summarized for evidence-based prevention planning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality: An analysis of GLOBOCAN 2022 Wei Cao1, Kang Qin2, Feng Li3, Wanqing Chen1 1Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; 2Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310021, China; 3The Third People’s Hospital of Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311251, China. Abstract Background: Given the recent updates in cancer burden estimates by GLOBOCAN 2022, this study was undertaken to provide pertinent perspectives within the context of the Human Development Index (HDI) and major world economies. Methods: Datasets sourced from GLOBOCAN encompassed cancer cases and deaths across all cancer types in 2022, alongside projections up to 2050. Cancer incidences and deaths of the top 10 cancers within China and four distinct HDI-classified regions were compared using descriptive analyses. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and mortality rates (ASMRs) worldwide for the most prevalent cancers in 2022 across ten largest economies and four-tier HDIs were examined. The top five cancer types concerning both incidence and mortality in China were delineated by sex and age group. Results: In males, prostate cancer predominated in countries with low, high (except China), and very high HDI. Prostate and liver cancers were prominent causes of death in countries with low HDI. In females, breast and cervical cancers predominated in countries with low-to-medium HDI. Lung and colorectal cancer incidence and deaths increased with high HDI for both sexes. ASIRs and ASMRs for breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers in the top 10 economies were higher than the global average. However, liver, stomach, and cervical cancers in most Western countries exhibited lower rates. In China, hematologic malignancies (43%) were prevalent among children aged 0–14 years, whereas thyroid cancer led among adolescents and young adults aged 15–39 years. Regarding incidence and mortality, lung cancer predominated for individuals over 40 years, except for females aged 40–59 years, in whom breast cancer predominated. Projected trends indicated substantial increases in new cancer cases (76.6%) and deaths (89 .7%) over the next three decades. Conclusions: Infection- and poverty-related cancer burdens are offset by increased prostate, breast, colorectal, and lung cancer incidence associated with rapid societal and economic transitions. Cancer incidence and mortality patterns in China feature characteristics of developed and developing countries, necessitating tailored, evidence-based, and comprehensive strategies for effective cancer prevention and control. Keywords: Incidence; Mortality; Tumor burden; China; Human Development Index; Hematologic neoplasms; Lung neoplasms; Breast neoplasms; Colorectal neoplasms; Thyroid neoplasms; Liver neoplasms; Prostatic neoplasms; Early detection of cancer Introduction Cancer represents a leading cause of premature death, posing significant challenges to efforts directed at increasing life expectancy globally. [1] Notably, recently updated data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) for 2022 revealed significant findings. [2] For example, approximately 19.98 million newly diagnosed cancer cases and 9.74 million cancer-related deaths worldwide were documented. Furthermore, lung cancer emerged as the most prevalent cancer, constituting an estimated 2.48 million new cases (12.4%), followed by | Access this article online | | | --- | --- | | Quick Response Code: | Website:
[www.cmj.org](www.cmj.org) | | | DOI:
10.1097/CM9.0000000000003140 | breast (11.5%), colorectal (9.6%), prostate (7.3%), and stomach (4.8%) cancers. Notably, lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer-related death, contributing to approximately 1.82 million deaths (18.7

FAQs

What data sources and time horizon are used to analyze cancer inequalities?

The study uses GLOBOCAN datasets covering cancer cases and deaths across all cancer types in 2022, along with projections up to 2050.

How do incidence and mortality patterns differ by HDI level and sex?

The results show distinct cancer profiles across HDI categories: male prostate and liver cancers are prominent in low HDI settings, while female breast and cervical cancers predominate in low-to-medium HDI regions.

What major future changes are projected for cancer incidence and deaths?

Projected trends indicate substantial increases in new cancer cases by 76.6% and deaths by 89.7% over the next three decades.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve