Breast Cancer Cases Projected to Rise Globally, Driven by Factors Like Red Meat Intake

Worldwide breast cancer cases are expected to increase by a third from 2023 to 2050, according to new research published in The Lancet Oncology. Deaths from the disease are also projected to rise by 44% during that same period. These findings underscore the growing global burden of breast cancer, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Global Breast Cancer Statistics: 2023

In 2023, an estimated 2.3 million new breast cancer cases were diagnosed globally, with 764,000 resulting in death [1]. The number of years of healthy life lost due to the illness and death – measured as disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) – increased from 11.7 million in 1990 to 24.1 million in 2023.

Shifting Burden to Lower-Income Countries

While high-income countries currently account for the majority of breast cancer cases (73% in 2023), the increasing burden is shifting towards low- and lower-middle-income countries. These regions often face challenges such as later-stage diagnoses and limited access to quality care, contributing to higher death rates [1].

Key Risk Factors Identified

Several risk factors contribute to breast cancer DALYs, including:

• Tobacco use
• High red meat intake
• High Body Mass Index (BMI)
• High alcohol use
• Low physical activity
• High fasting plasma glucose

These factors accounted for 28.3% of breast cancer DALYs in 2023 [1]. Though, the study noted a decline in the worldwide breast cancer burden tied to high alcohol use (–47%) and tobacco use (–28%) from 1990 to 2023.

Future Projections: 2050

Researchers project that annual breast cancer cases worldwide will reach 3.56 million by 2050, with 1.37 million resulting deaths [1].

Addressing the Global Challenge

Experts emphasize the demand for collaborative efforts to improve early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of breast cancer in all countries. Reducing the cost of therapies and ensuring universal health coverage that includes breast cancer care are also crucial steps [1].

“Targeting known risk factors through public health policies and making healthier choices more accessible, while working with individuals to take action to reduce obesity and high blood sugar, is crucial to halting the rise in breast cancers worldwide,” said Marie NgPhD, a study co-author and an affiliate associate professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, Seattle [1].