Tingting Wei , Yunhai Li , Ze Zhang , et al. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2026 Mar 7;52(5):111742
Women's cancers pose a significant global health burden, with pronounced geographical and age-related disparities. Targeting modifiable risk factors and enhancing healthcare access, especially in low-SDI regions, is essential to reducing the worldwide burden of women's cancers. In 2022, there were 3.7 million new cases and 1.3 million deaths from women's cancers globally. Breast cancer represented the highest proportion, with 2,295,720 incident cases and 665,675 deaths, followed by cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers. The age-standardized incidence rate of women's cancers has risen in recent decades and is projected to reach 83.7 per 100,000 by 2050. The age-standardized mortality rate for women's cancers has shown a downward trend since 1990 and is expected to decline further, reaching 25.3 per 100,000 by 2050. High socio-demographic index (SDI) level regions bore a greater burden of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers, while cervical cancer was more prevalent in low-SDI regions. Additionally, the cancer burden was higher among elderly women. Unsafe sexual practices are the leading risk factor for cervical cancer, dietary risks for breast cancer, and high body mass index for uterine and ovarian cancers.
15 Apr, 2026