Why are there more cancer deaths than ever before?

Why are there more cancer deaths than ever before?

From Do you really know? by Bababam

May 4, 2026 · 6 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the increasing rates of cancer deaths and early-onset cancer cases, exploring the reasons behind these trends.

It’s not something we like to dwell on too often, but the chance for each of us getting some kind of cancer during our lifetime is significant. After all, it's the second leading cause of death worldwide according to the World Health Organisation, just behind heart disease. Cancer Research UK puts the estimated lifetime risk of a man or woman getting cancer at nearly one in two. Research has shown the extent to which cancer cases have been growing in recent decades. And not just among the elderly. A study published in BMJ Oncology in September 2023 showed that there had been a “striking” 79% increase in new early-onset cancer cases from 1990-2019. Early-onset is a term used to describe cancer in the under-50s. Why is that then? Isn’t it normal for cancer deaths to increase as the global population grows? Is the situation the same everywhere in the world? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What are the latest advances in lung cancer treatment? Can men get breast cancer? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What is Quantum medicine and is it a scam?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices…

People in this episode

Host: Joseph Chance

Topics covered

  • cancer
  • health statistics
  • early-onset cancer
  • global health
  • mortality rates

Keywords

  • cancer deaths
  • early-onset cancer
  • health statistics
  • global population
  • mortality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: World Health Organisation, Cancer Research UK, BMJ Oncology

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