The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released a report on February 1, 2024, projecting a 77% increase in new cancer cases globally by 2050, reaching 35 million cases compared to 20 million in 2022. The report highlights that developing nations, including Morocco, will face a disproportionate burden due to limited healthcare resources and late-stage diagnoses.
For Morocco, the IARC data shows that in 2022, there were approximately 67,000 new cancer cases and 35,000 deaths. The most common cancers were breast, lung, and colorectal. By 2050, cases could rise by over 70% if current trends continue, driven by aging populations, lifestyle changes, and environmental factors.
The WHO emphasizes the need for urgent investment in prevention, early detection, and treatment infrastructure in countries like Morocco. The report calls for implementing tobacco control, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, and expanding access to affordable cancer care to mitigate the coming surge.
