In 2012, the global burden of cancer rose to an estimated 14 million new cases per year, a figure expected to rise to 22 million annually within the next 2 decades. Cancers figure among the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for 8.2 million deaths in 2012. Over the same period, cancer deaths are predicted to rise from an estimated 8.2 million annually to 13 million per year.
Globally, in 2012 the most common cancers diagnosed were those of the lung (1.8 million cases, 13.0% of the total), breast (1.7 million, 11.9%), and large bowel (1.4 million, 9.7%). The most common causes of cancer death were cancers of the lung (1.6 million, 19.4% of the total), liver (0.8 million, 9.1%), and stomach (0.7 million, 8.8%).
Today is World Cancer Day which aims at raising awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. In 2013 42,000 Belarusians were diagnosed with cancer, and the number is swelling.
