The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new estimates of the global cancer burden, highlighting the growing challenge of cancer worldwide. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates that in 2022, there were 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths. About 1 in 5 people will develop cancer in their lifetime, with 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women dying from the disease. The WHO survey shows that only 39% of countries cover the basics of cancer management in their health benefit packages, and only 28% cover palliative care. The three most common cancers in 2022 were lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. Lung cancer was the most common, with 2.5 million new cases, followed by breast cancer (2.3 million) and colorectal cancer (1.9 million). Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death, with 1.8 million deaths. The burden of cancer is unevenly distributed, with significant disparities based on human development index (HDI). Women in low HDI countries are at higher risk of dying from breast cancer due to late diagnosis and limited access to treatment. The WHO survey also reveals significant global inequities in cancer services, with high-income countries more likely to include cancer-related services in their health benefit packages. For example, lung cancer-related services are 4–7 times more likely to be included in high-income countries than in lower-income countries. The widest disparity is seen in stem-cell transplantation, which is 12 times more likely in high-income countries. The global cancer burden is expected to increase significantly by 2050, with over 35 million new cases predicted, a 77% increase from 2022. High HDI countries are expected to see the greatest absolute increase in cancer cases, while low and medium HDI countries will experience the highest proportional increase. The WHO emphasizes the need for urgent investment to address global cancer inequities and ensure access to quality cancer care for all.The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new estimates of the global cancer burden, highlighting the growing challenge of cancer worldwide. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates that in 2022, there were 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths. About 1 in 5 people will develop cancer in their lifetime, with 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women dying from the disease. The WHO survey shows that only 39% of countries cover the basics of cancer management in their health benefit packages, and only 28% cover palliative care. The three most common cancers in 2022 were lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. Lung cancer was the most common, with 2.5 million new cases, followed by breast cancer (2.3 million) and colorectal cancer (1.9 million). Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death, with 1.8 million deaths. The burden of cancer is unevenly distributed, with significant disparities based on human development index (HDI). Women in low HDI countries are at higher risk of dying from breast cancer due to late diagnosis and limited access to treatment. The WHO survey also reveals significant global inequities in cancer services, with high-income countries more likely to include cancer-related services in their health benefit packages. For example, lung cancer-related services are 4–7 times more likely to be included in high-income countries than in lower-income countries. The widest disparity is seen in stem-cell transplantation, which is 12 times more likely in high-income countries. The global cancer burden is expected to increase significantly by 2050, with over 35 million new cases predicted, a 77% increase from 2022. High HDI countries are expected to see the greatest absolute increase in cancer cases, while low and medium HDI countries will experience the highest proportional increase. The WHO emphasizes the need for urgent investment to address global cancer inequities and ensure access to quality cancer care for all.