This review provides an overview of current cancer epidemiology based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Cancer Society (ACS). It highlights the frequency, mortality, and survival rates of the 15 most common cancers globally. Cancer is the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide, with a 20.2% risk of developing cancer between ages 0–74. In 2018, 18 million new cancer cases were diagnosed, with lung, breast, and prostate cancers being the most frequent. The risk of cancer is higher in men than in women, except for thyroid cancer. Lung, liver, and stomach cancers are the most deadly, while prostate and thyroid cancers have the best prognosis, with 5-year survival rates approaching 100%. Conversely, cancers such as esophagus, liver, and pancreas have poor prognosis, with survival rates typically below 20% at 5 years. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, with 8.97 million deaths in 2018, and is expected to become the leading cause by 2060. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men, while breast cancer is the leading cause in women. The mortality rate for cancer is expected to increase significantly in the next 40 years, surpassing that of ischemic heart disease. The five leading causes of cancer death are expected to see a sharp increase in mortality rates, with breast cancer showing the highest increase. The prognosis of cancer varies significantly, with thyroid and prostate cancers having the best survival rates, while cancers such as esophagus, liver, and pancreas have the worst. The review emphasizes the need for global strategies to prevent, diagnose, and manage cancer, including investments in screening, research, and the application of new technologies such as liquid biopsy, personalized medicine, immunotherapy, and digital epidemiology.This review provides an overview of current cancer epidemiology based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Cancer Society (ACS). It highlights the frequency, mortality, and survival rates of the 15 most common cancers globally. Cancer is the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide, with a 20.2% risk of developing cancer between ages 0–74. In 2018, 18 million new cancer cases were diagnosed, with lung, breast, and prostate cancers being the most frequent. The risk of cancer is higher in men than in women, except for thyroid cancer. Lung, liver, and stomach cancers are the most deadly, while prostate and thyroid cancers have the best prognosis, with 5-year survival rates approaching 100%. Conversely, cancers such as esophagus, liver, and pancreas have poor prognosis, with survival rates typically below 20% at 5 years. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, with 8.97 million deaths in 2018, and is expected to become the leading cause by 2060. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men, while breast cancer is the leading cause in women. The mortality rate for cancer is expected to increase significantly in the next 40 years, surpassing that of ischemic heart disease. The five leading causes of cancer death are expected to see a sharp increase in mortality rates, with breast cancer showing the highest increase. The prognosis of cancer varies significantly, with thyroid and prostate cancers having the best survival rates, while cancers such as esophagus, liver, and pancreas have the worst. The review emphasizes the need for global strategies to prevent, diagnose, and manage cancer, including investments in screening, research, and the application of new technologies such as liquid biopsy, personalized medicine, immunotherapy, and digital epidemiology.