Global cancer cases have doubled since 1990, reaching 18.5 million new diagnoses in 2023. More than 10 million people die from cancer each year, with the fastest increase occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Without urgent preventive measures in place, researchers predict that new cases will rise to more than 30 million annually by 2050. About four in ten cancer deaths are linked to preventable risks, including smoking, poor diet and high blood sugar. These preventable factors represent a significant potential to reduce the burden of cancer at the global level. The global community is ill-prepared for this rapid increase in cancer cases and needs to accelerate prevention and treatment measures.