WHO World Cancer Report 2014

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation, has published the World Cancer Report 2014. The report provides a global view of cancer patterns, causes and prevention.  At 630 pages it is not freely available but can be purchased in print or electronic format for US$60.

This 2014 report is the first of its type since 2008 and shows that cancer is now the world’s biggest killer. In 2012, there were 8.2 million cancer deaths (including 40,000 Australians) and 14.1 million new cancer cases worldwide. These numbers are predicted to rise to 13 million deaths and 22 million cases per year by 2025.  Several useful summaries and commentaries about the report contents can be found, including from the ABC, Cancer now biggest killer in Australia and in The Conversation, Cancer, the world's biggest killer.