The article provides an updated global overview of cancer incidence and mortality using the GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In 2020, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million cancer deaths (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) occurred worldwide. Female breast cancer surpassed lung cancer as the most common cancer, with 2.3 million new cases (11.7%) and 1.8 million deaths (18%). Lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer death, with 1.8 million deaths (18%). Incidence rates were 2-3 times higher in transitioned countries compared to transitioning countries, while mortality rates varied less, with a slight increase in men and little variation in women. Female breast and cervical cancers had higher death rates in transitioning countries. The global cancer burden is expected to rise to 28.4 million cases in 2040, with a larger increase in transitioning countries due to demographic changes and increasing risk factors. Efforts to build sustainable infrastructure for cancer prevention and care in transitioning countries are critical for global cancer control.The article provides an updated global overview of cancer incidence and mortality using the GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In 2020, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million cancer deaths (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) occurred worldwide. Female breast cancer surpassed lung cancer as the most common cancer, with 2.3 million new cases (11.7%) and 1.8 million deaths (18%). Lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer death, with 1.8 million deaths (18%). Incidence rates were 2-3 times higher in transitioned countries compared to transitioning countries, while mortality rates varied less, with a slight increase in men and little variation in women. Female breast and cervical cancers had higher death rates in transitioning countries. The global cancer burden is expected to rise to 28.4 million cases in 2040, with a larger increase in transitioning countries due to demographic changes and increasing risk factors. Efforts to build sustainable infrastructure for cancer prevention and care in transitioning countries are critical for global cancer control.