Key Highlights of the study:
- The incidence of cancer (excluding non-melanomatous skin cancers) is projected to rise from 17.0 million to 26.0 million between 2018 and 2040.
- Between 2018 and 2040, the number of patients requiring first-course chemotherapy annually will increase from 9.8 million to 15 million.
- A steady growth curve of patients (eligible for chemotherapy) will be seen in low and middle income countries going from 63% in 2018 to 67% in 2040.
- The most common indications for chemotherapy worldwide in 2040 will be lung cancer (16.4%), breast cancer (12.7%) and colorectal cancer (11.1%).
- In 2018, 65,000 cancer physicians were required worldwide to deliver optimal chemotherapy. The figure is estimated to rise to 1,00,000 by 2040.
- This first of its kind study is aimed at helping the global community scale up chemotherapy provisions. Strategic investments in chemotherapy service provision and cancer physicians are needed to meet the projected increased demand for chemotherapy in 2040.
