Fact: 5 Most Lethal Cancers in the World

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, culpable of nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. - WHO, 2022.

In spite of the ever evolving of methods to prevent and treat cancer, it is still considered as one of the most lethal disease with rapid increase in morbidity and mortality rate worldwide. As one of the middle-income country with an approximate population of 270 million, the cancer burden in Indonesia is found to be increasing lately. 

As per the latest data from Globocan 2020, it is stated that new cancer cases rises to 141.1 cases per 100 000 population, with the mortality rate of 85.1 deaths by cancer per 100 000 population. Breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer had the highest prevalence globally, while lung cancer is considered as the most lethal cancer.

Cancer of any kind is dreadful, however, according to statistics, these are the most lethal amongst various types of cancers globally in 2020 – Goblocan 2020, WHO:

1.  Lung Cancer 

New cases of Lung Cancer in 2020                  : 2.21 million cases

Deaths caused by Lung Cancer in 2020         : 1.80 million deaths

Lung cancer is a cancer which starts in the lungs which may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body such as the brain; caused by smoking tobacco, secondhand smoking, exposure to asbestos or radon and also family history of cancer. Symptoms may include continued worsening long-term coughing, chest pain, coughing up blood, and etcetera. – CDC, 2021.

 2. Colorectal Cancer 

New cases of Colorectal Cancer in 2020           : 1.93 million cases

Deaths caused by Colorectal Cancer in 2020  : 916 000 deaths

Colorectal cancer is a cancer which occurs when there are abnormal growth of cells, also known as polyps, in the colon or rectum that may turn into cancer over time; the risk of colorectal cancer is higher in people with old age, including having inflammatory bowel disease and family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps. Symptoms includes blood in or on the stool, abdominal pain, aches or cramps and etcetera. – CDC, 2022.

3.  Liver Cancer

New cases of Liver Cancer in 2020                  : 905 677 cases

Deaths caused by Liver Cancer in 2020         : 830 000 deaths

Liver cancer is a cancer which starts in the liver; behaviors and conditions which may increase the risk of having liver cancer includes drinking alcohol, having cirrhosis, having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, having diabetes, having hemochromatosis, and having a long term hepatitis B or C virus infection. Symptoms includes jaundice, easy bruising or bleeding, a hard lump on the right side just below the rib cage and etcetera. – CDC, 2022.

4.  Stomach Cancer

New cases of Stomach Cancer in 2020             : 1.09 million cases

Deaths caused by Stomach Cancer in 2020    : 769 000 deaths

Stomach cancer is a cancer which forms in the linings of the stomach; caused by infection by H. pylori bacteria, smoking and certain inherited conditions. Symptoms includes abdominal pain, blood in the stool, swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen and etcetera. – American Cancer Society, 2022.

5.  Breast Cancer

New cases of Breast Cancer in 2020                  : 2.26 million cases

Deaths caused by Breast Cancer in 2020         : 685 000 deaths

Breast cancer is a cancer which occurs when the cells in the breast goes out of control; types of breast cancer includes invasive ductal carcinoma which begins in the ducts, invasive lobular carcinoma which begins in the lobules and other types according to the starting location of the breast cancer. The risk factors includes genetic mutations, reproductive history, having dense breast, taking hormones, family history of breast cancer and etcetera. Symptoms includes new lump in the breast or underarm, pain in any area of the breast, any change in the size or the shape of the breast and etcetera. – CDC, 2021.

Now that we already know the 5 types of the most lethal cancer in the world, let us get to know more what cancer is exactly.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. It develops when the body mechanism stops working as it normally does, where instead of causing old cells to die, these cells grows out of control, resulting in new, abnormal cells, known as a tumor. However, some cancers such as leukemia do not form tumors.

 – Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science at CTCA, April 27 2022.

Source: Cancer Council NSW.