World cancer statistics

There are an estimated 12.7 million cancer cases around the world every year, with this number expected to increase to 26 million by 2030.

But different countries have very different cancer rates. For example, breast cancer rates in the UK are four times higher than in Eastern Africa.

This is partly because cancer risk is affected by lifestyle and scientists estimate that a third of the most common cancers in the UK could be prevented though diet, physical activity and weight.

This section shows how UK cancer rates compare to the rest of the world.