Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide, accounting for 1.82 million deaths in 2022. The second most deadly form of cancer is colorectum cancer, followed by liver cancer. However, lung cancer is only the sixth leading cause of death worldwide, with heart disease and stroke accounting for the highest share of deaths. Male vs. female cases Given that lung cancer causes the highest number of cancer deaths worldwide, it may be unsurprising to learn that lung cancer is the most common form of new cancer cases among males. However, among females, breast cancer is by far the most common form of new cancer cases. In fact, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, followed by prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a very close second to lung cancer among the cancers with the highest rates of new cases among men. Male vs. female deaths Lung cancer is by far the deadliest form of cancer among males but is the second deadliest form of cancer among females. Breast cancer, the most prevalent form of cancer among females worldwide, is also the deadliest form of cancer among females. Although prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among men, it is the fifth deadliest cancer. Lung, liver, stomach, colorectum, and oesophagus cancers all have higher deaths rates among males.

In 2019, the leading causes of death worldwide were ischemic heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That year, ischemic heart disease and stroke accounted for a combined ** percent of all deaths worldwide. Although the leading causes of death worldwide vary by region and country, heart disease is a consistent leading cause of death regardless of income, development, size, or location. Heart disease In 2019, around **** million people worldwide died from ischemic heart disease. In comparison, around **** million people died from lung cancer that year, while *** million died from diabetes. The countries with the highest rates of death due to heart attack and other ischemic heart diseases are Lithuania, Russia, and Slovakia. Although some risk factors for heart disease, such as age and genetics, are unmodifiable, the likelihood of developing heart disease can be greatly reduced through a healthy lifestyle. The biggest modifiable risk factors for heart disease include smoking, an unhealthy diet, being overweight, and a lack of exercise. In 2019, it was estimated that around *** million deaths worldwide due to ischemic heart disease could be attributed to smoking. The leading causes of death in the United States Just as it is the leading cause of death worldwide, heart disease is also the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2023, heart disease accounted for ** percent of all deaths in the United States. Cancer was the second leading cause of death in the U.S. that year, followed by accidents. As of 2023, the odds that a person in the United States will die from heart disease is * in *. However, rates of death due to heart disease have actually declined in the U.S. over the past couple decades. From 2000 to 2022, there was a *** percent decline in heart disease deaths. On the other hand, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease saw an increase of *** percent over this period. Alzheimer’s disease is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for **** deaths per 100,000 population in 2023.

In 2019, the leading causes of death globally included ischemic heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There were **** million deaths from ischemic heart disease at that time and about **** million deaths caused by stroke. In recent history, increases in life expectancy, increases in population and better standards of living have changed the leading causes of death over time. Non-Communicable Disease Deaths The number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases has remained relatively stable in recent years. A large majority of non-communicable or chronic disease deaths globally are caused by cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancer. Various lifestyle choices cause or exacerbate many of these chronic diseases. Drinking, smoking and lack of exercise can contribute to higher rates of non-communicable diseases and early death. It is estimated that the relative risk of death before the age of 65 was ** times greater among those that smoked and never quit. Infectious Disease Deaths Trends indicate that the number of deaths due to infectious diseases have decreased in recent years. However, infectious diseases still disproportionately impact low- and middle-income countries. In 2021, tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS were still among the leading causes of death in low-income countries. However, the leading causes of death in upper income countries are almost exclusively non-communicable, chronic conditions.

The global landscape of mortality has undergone significant changes from 1990 to 2021, but cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2021, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 28.6 percent of all deaths, followed by cancers at 14.6 percent. Notably, COVID-19 emerged as the third leading cause of death in 2021, responsible for 11.6 percent of global fatalities. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic The emergence of COVID-19 as a major cause of death underscores the profound impact of the pandemic on global health. By May 2023, the virus had infected over 687 million people worldwide and claimed nearly 6.87 million lives. The United States, India, and Brazil were among the most severely affected countries. The pandemic's effects extended beyond direct mortality, influencing healthcare systems and potentially exacerbating other health conditions. Shifts in global health priorities While infectious diseases like COVID-19 have gained prominence, long-term health trends reveal significant progress in certain areas. The proportion of neonatal deaths decreased from 6.4 percent in 1990 to 2.7 percent in 2021, reflecting improvements in maternal and child health care. However, challenges persist in addressing malnutrition and hunger, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The Global Hunger Index 2024 identified Somalia, Yemen, and Chad as the countries most affected by hunger and malnutrition, highlighting the ongoing need for targeted interventions in these regions.

Rank, number of deaths, percentage of deaths, and age-specific mortality rates for the leading causes of death, by age group and sex, 2000 to most recent year.

This statistic shows the percentage changes in selected causes of death due to diseases in the United States, between 2000 and 2022. The number of deaths caused by prostate cancer increased by 7.4 percent during this period. Changes in selected causes of deathThere has been a decrease in the rate of death caused by many diseases, including stroke and heart disease. However, the mortality rate due to Alzheimer’s disease increased by 142 percent from 2000 to 2022. Alzheimer’s disease caused 27.7 deaths per 100,000 population in 2023, making it the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Mortality rates due to different diseases vary by different factors, including race and ethnicity. For example, cancer is the leading cause of death among Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States, accounting for 22 percent of total deaths among this population, while heart disease is the leading cause of death among the white population. Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for around nine million deaths in 2021. In the early 1900's, the mortality rate was primarily concentrated among people of younger ages, but increasingly, this has shifted to older population groups. In recent years, decreased mortality rates are often linked to improved medical care, such as new developments in medical technologies. Shifts in lifestyle habits such as decreased smoking rates and healthier diets may also attribute to lower mortality rates.

Germany DE: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data was reported at 90.598 % in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 91.046 % for 2015. Germany DE: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 91.273 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2019, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 91.869 % in 2000 and a record low of 90.598 % in 2019. Germany DE: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Cause of death refers to the share of all deaths for all ages by underlying causes. Non-communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, skin diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and congenital anomalies.;Derived based on the data from Global Health Estimates 2020: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2019. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2020. Link: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-leading-causes-of-death;Weighted average;

MMWR Surveillance Summary 66 (No. SS-1):1-8 found that nonmetropolitan areas have significant numbers of potentially excess deaths from the five leading causes of death. These figures accompany this report by presenting information on potentially excess deaths in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas at the state level. They also add additional years of data and options for selecting different age ranges and benchmarks. Potentially excess deaths are defined in MMWR Surveillance Summary 66(No. SS-1):1-8 as deaths that exceed the numbers that would be expected if the death rates of states with the lowest rates (benchmarks) occurred across all states. They are calculated by subtracting expected deaths for specific benchmarks from observed deaths. Not all potentially excess deaths can be prevented; some areas might have characteristics that predispose them to higher rates of death. However, many potentially excess deaths might represent deaths that could be prevented through improved public health programs that support healthier behaviors and neighborhoods or better access to health care services. Mortality data for U.S. residents come from the National Vital Statistics System. Estimates based on fewer than 10 observed deaths are not shown and shaded yellow on the map. Underlying cause of death is based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) Heart disease (I00-I09, I11, I13, and I20–I51) Cancer (C00–C97) Unintentional injury (V01–X59 and Y85–Y86) Chronic lower respiratory disease (J40–J47) Stroke (I60–I69) Locality (nonmetropolitan vs. metropolitan) is based on the Office of Management and Budget’s 2013 county-based classification scheme. Benchmarks are based on the three states with the lowest age and cause-specific mortality rates. Potentially excess deaths for each state are calculated by subtracting deaths at the benchmark rates (expected deaths) from observed deaths. Users can explore three benchmarks: “2010 Fixed” is a fixed benchmark based on the best performing States in 2010. “2005 Fixed” is a fixed benchmark based on the best performing States in 2005. “Floating” is based on the best performing States in each year so change from year to year. SOURCES CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, mortality data (see http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/deaths.htm); and CDC WONDER (see http://wonder.cdc.gov). REFERENCES Moy E, Garcia MC, Bastian B, Rossen LM, Ingram DD, Faul M, Massetti GM, Thomas CC, Hong Y, Yoon PW, Iademarco MF. Leading Causes of Death in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Areas – United States, 1999-2014. MMWR Surveillance Summary 2017; 66(No. SS-1):1-8. Garcia MC, Faul M, Massetti G, Thomas CC, Hong Y, Bauer UE, Iademarco MF. Reducing Potentially Excess Deaths from the Five Leading Causes of Death in the Rural United States. MMWR Surveillance Summary 2017; 66(No. SS-2):1–7.

Heart disease is currently the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2022, COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for almost six percent of all deaths that year. The leading causes of death worldwide are similar to those in the United States. However, diarrheal diseases and neonatal conditions are major causes of death worldwide, but are not among the leading causes in the United States. Instead, accidents and chronic liver disease have a larger impact in the United States.

Racial differences

In the United States, there exist slight differences in leading causes of death depending on race and ethnicity. For example, assault, or homicide, accounts for around three percent of all deaths among the Black population but is not even among the leading causes of death for other races and ethnicities. However, heart disease and cancer are still the leading causes of death for all races and ethnicities.

Leading causes of death among men vs women

Similarly, there are also differences in the leading causes of death in the U.S. between men and women. For example, among men, intentional self-harm accounts for around two percent of all deaths but is not among the leading causes of death among women. On the other hand, influenza and pneumonia account for more deaths among women than men.

According to the findings of a survey by IPSOS, worldwide people generally underestimate the proportion of deaths from cardiovascular diseases and cancer, two of the leading causes of death worldwide. It was found that on average respondents thought cardiovascular diseases accounted for just 11 percent of deaths worldwide, when in reality cardiovascular diseases account for 32 percent of deaths. This statistic shows the actual vs public estimates for causes of death worldwide as of 2019.

Introduction

Breast Cancer Statistics: Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent and concerning health challenges, mostly among women. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. The impact of breast cancer is significant, with millions of new cases diagnosed each year and hundreds of thousands of deaths attributed to the disease.

This article will provide critical insights into the incidence, survival rates, mortality, and disparities across different demographics, including age, race, and ethnicity. Understanding the latest statistics on breast cancer is crucial for driving progress in reducing the incidence and mortality rates, improving survival outcomes, and ultimately, finding a cure.

BR: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data was reported at 74.738 % in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 73.370 % for 2015. BR: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 73.194 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2019, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.738 % in 2019 and a record low of 69.140 % in 2000. BR: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Brazil – Table BR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Cause of death refers to the share of all deaths for all ages by underlying causes. Non-communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, skin diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and congenital anomalies.;Derived based on the data from Global Health Estimates 2020: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2019. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2020. Link: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-leading-causes-of-death;Weighted average;

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Early detection and accurate prediction of cervical cancer can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment and save lives. This dataset help to develop a predictive model using machine learning techniques to identify individuals at high risk of cervical cancer, allowing for timely intervention and medical care.

Editor’s Choice

• Global Breast Cancer Market size is expected to be worth around USD 49.2 Bn by 2032 from USD 19.8 Bn in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2032.
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. In 2020, there were about 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer diagnosed globally.
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. In 2020, it was responsible for approximately 685,000 deaths worldwide.
• The survival rate of breast cancer has improved over the years. In the United States, the overall five-year survival rate of breast cancer is around 90%.
• The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms starting at age 40 for women at average risk.
• Although rare, breast cancer also occurs in men. Less than 1% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in males.

(Source: WHO, American Cancer Society)

IntroductionLung cancer ranks the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. This retrospective cohort study was designed to determine time-dependent death hazards of diverse causes and conditional survival of lung cancer.MethodsWe collected 816,436 lung cancer cases during 2000-2015 in the SEER database, after exclusion, 612,100 cases were enrolled for data analyses. Cancer-specific survival, overall survival and dynamic death hazard were assessed in this study. Additionally, based on the FDA approval time of Nivolumab in 2015, we evaluated the effect of immunotherapy on metastatic patients’ survival by comparing cases in 2016-2018 (immunotherapy era, n=7135) and those in 2013-2016 (non-immunotherapy era, n=42061).ResultsOf the 612,100 patients, 285,705 were women, the mean (SD) age was 68.3 (11.0) years old. 252,558 patients were characterized as lung adenocarcinoma, 133,302 cases were lung squamous cell carcinoma, and only 78,700 cases were small cell lung carcinomas. TNM stage was I in 140,518 cases, II in 38,225 cases, III in 159,095 cases, and IV in 274,262 patients. 164,394 cases underwent surgical intervention. The 5-y overall survival and cancer-specific survival were 54.2% and 73.8%, respectively. The 5-y conditional survival rate of cancer-specific survival is improved in a time-dependent pattern, while conditional overall survival tends to be steady after 5-y follow-up. Except from age, hazard disparities of other risk factors (such as stage and surgery) diminished over time according to the conditional survival curves. After 8 years since diagnosis, mortality hazard from other causes became higher than that from lung cancer. This critical time point was earlier in elder patients while was postponed in patients with advanced stages. Moreover, both cancer-specific survival and overall survival of metastatic patients in immunotherapy era were significantly better than those in non-immunotherapy era (P

As of 2023, the countries with the highest death rates worldwide were Monaco, Bulgaria, and Latvia. In these countries, there were ** to ** deaths per 1,000 people. The country with the lowest death rate is Qatar, where there is just *** death per 1,000 people. Leading causes of death The leading causes of death worldwide are, by far, cardiovascular diseases, accounting for ** percent of all deaths in 2021. That year, there were **** million deaths worldwide from ischaemic heart disease and **** million from stroke. Interestingly, a worldwide survey from that year found that people greatly underestimate the proportion of deaths caused by cardiovascular disease, but overestimate the proportion of deaths caused by suicide, interpersonal violence, and substance use disorders. Death in the United States In 2023, there were around **** million deaths in the United States. The leading causes of death in the United States are currently heart disease and cancer, accounting for a combined ** percent of all deaths in 2023. Lung and bronchus cancer is the deadliest form of cancer worldwide, as well as in the United States. In the U.S. this form of cancer is predicted to cause around ****** deaths among men alone in the year 2025. Prostate cancer is the second-deadliest cancer for men in the U.S. while breast cancer is the second deadliest for women. In 2023, the tenth leading cause of death in the United States was COVID-19. Deaths due to COVID-19 resulted in a significant rise in the total number of deaths in the U.S. in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019, and it was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. during those years.

cancer therapeutics and biotherapeutics Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global cancer therapeutics and biotherapeutics market size stood at USD 195.8 billion in 2024, reflecting robust demand and innovation in oncology treatments. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated USD 418.7 billion by 2033. This impressive growth is driven by the increasing incidence of cancer worldwide, rapid advancements in biotherapeutic modalities, and the ongoing introduction of novel, targeted therapies that enhance patient outcomes.

A key growth factor for the cancer therapeutics and biotherapeutics market is the rising global cancer burden. According to the World Health Organization, cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with over 20 million new cases and 10 million deaths in 2024. The aging population, lifestyle changes, environmental factors, and improved diagnostic capabilities are contributing to the escalating prevalence of various cancer types. This has led to a heightened demand for innovative and effective therapeutic solutions, spurring investments in research and development by both public and private entities. In particular, the emergence of precision medicine and personalized therapies has revolutionized cancer care, offering hope for improved survival rates and quality of life for patients.

Another significant driver is the rapid advancement and adoption of biotherapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and cell therapies. These modalities have demonstrated superior efficacy and safety profiles compared to traditional chemotherapies, leading to their widespread adoption in clinical practice. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are increasingly focusing on the development of next-generation biotherapeutics, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR, CAR-T, and bispecific antibodies. The expanding pipeline of innovative drugs, coupled with expedited regulatory approvals and favorable reimbursement policies in key markets, is accelerating the commercialization of novel cancer therapies and broadening patient access to life-saving treatments.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and digital health tools is transforming the landscape of cancer therapeutics and biotherapeutics. These technologies are enabling more accurate tumor profiling, better patient stratification, and optimized treatment regimens, ultimately leading to improved clinical outcomes. Collaborations between academic institutions, research organizations, and industry stakeholders are fostering a vibrant ecosystem for oncology innovation. Additionally, growing awareness among patients and healthcare providers about the benefits of targeted and immunotherapeutic approaches is driving uptake and supporting market expansion. The convergence of scientific breakthroughs, supportive policy frameworks, and patient-centric care models is expected to sustain the robust growth trajectory of the cancer therapeutics and biotherapeutics market over the forecast period.

Regionally, North America remains the dominant market, accounting for the largest share in 2024, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The United States, in particular, benefits from a well-established healthcare infrastructure, strong R&D capabilities, and high healthcare expenditure. However, the Asia Pacific region is witnessing the fastest growth, fueled by rising cancer incidence, increasing healthcare investments, and expanding access to advanced therapies in countries like China, Japan, and India. Europe continues to play a pivotal role, driven by supportive regulatory environments and active participation in global oncology research initiatives. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are gradually emerging as promising markets, supported by improving healthcare access and growing awareness about cancer therapies.

Product Type Analysis

The cancer therapeutics and biother

Azerbaijan Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data was reported at 90.248 % in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 88.196 % for 2015. Azerbaijan Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 86.578 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2019, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 90.248 % in 2019 and a record low of 76.055 % in 2000. Azerbaijan Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Azerbaijan – Table AZ.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Cause of death refers to the share of all deaths for all ages by underlying causes. Non-communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, skin diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and congenital anomalies.;Derived based on the data from Global Health Estimates 2020: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2019. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2020. Link: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-leading-causes-of-death;Weighted average;

Analysis of ‘NCHS - Potentially Excess Deaths from the Five Leading Causes of Death’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/3d1da62a-9f1c-47e8-b5a1-b473f57d7fdc on 28 January 2022.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

MMWR Surveillance Summary 66 (No. SS-1):1-8 found that nonmetropolitan areas have significant numbers of potentially excess deaths from the five leading causes of death. These figures accompany this report by presenting information on potentially excess deaths in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas at the state level. They also add additional years of data and options for selecting different age ranges and benchmarks.

Potentially excess deaths are defined in MMWR Surveillance Summary 66(No. SS-1):1-8 as deaths that exceed the numbers that would be expected if the death rates of states with the lowest rates (benchmarks) occurred across all states. They are calculated by subtracting expected deaths for specific benchmarks from observed deaths.

Not all potentially excess deaths can be prevented; some areas might have characteristics that predispose them to higher rates of death. However, many potentially excess deaths might represent deaths that could be prevented through improved public health programs that support healthier behaviors and neighborhoods or better access to health care services.

Mortality data for U.S. residents come from the National Vital Statistics System. Estimates based on fewer than 10 observed deaths are not shown and shaded yellow on the map.

Underlying cause of death is based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10)

Heart disease (I00-I09, I11, I13, and I20–I51) Cancer (C00–C97) Unintentional injury (V01–X59 and Y85–Y86) Chronic lower respiratory disease (J40–J47) Stroke (I60–I69) Locality (nonmetropolitan vs. metropolitan) is based on the Office of Management and Budget’s 2013 county-based classification scheme.

Benchmarks are based on the three states with the lowest age and cause-specific mortality rates.

Potentially excess deaths for each state are calculated by subtracting deaths at the benchmark rates (expected deaths) from observed deaths.

Users can explore three benchmarks:

“2010 Fixed” is a fixed benchmark based on the best performing States in 2010. “2005 Fixed” is a fixed benchmark based on the best performing States in 2005. “Floating” is based on the best performing States in each year so change from year to year.

SOURCES

CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, mortality data (see http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/deaths.htm); and CDC WONDER (see http://wonder.cdc.gov).

REFERENCES

1. Moy E, Garcia MC, Bastian B, Rossen LM, Ingram DD, Faul M, Massetti GM, Thomas CC, Hong Y, Yoon PW, Iademarco MF. Leading Causes of Death in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Areas – United States, 1999-2014. MMWR Surveillance Summary 2017; 66(No. SS-1):1-8.

2. Garcia MC, Faul M, Massetti G, Thomas CC, Hong Y, Bauer UE, Iademarco MF. Reducing Potentially Excess Deaths from the Five Leading Causes of Death in the Rural United States. MMWR Surveillance Summary 2017; 66(No. SS-2):1–7.

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

Age-standardized incidence-based mortality rates, and annual percent changes in primary liver cancer rates, 1978–2018.