A global killer

The number of people who die from cancer varies greatly around the world, often because of differences in behaviour and healthcare.

figure a

Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer

Age-old problem

A dramatic change happens around the age of 20, when the main cancers being diagnosed in the United States start to shift from mainly leukaemia to predominantly digestive, prostate, lung and breast.

figure B

Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program

Money matters

In 2013, the US National Institutes of Health spent US$2.6 billion on cancer research, and more than one-quarter of that went to breast cancer.

figure c

Source: National Institutes of Health

Points of attack

With the exception of sub-Saharan Africa, lung cancer is one of the top three cancer killers in all regions. Breast, colorectal and prostate also feature prominently.

figure D

Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer

Deadly discrepancy

Gaps between diagnoses and mortality are most prominent for breast and prostate cancer.

figure E

Source: World Cancer Report 2014

Rate changes

Among other factors, public-health measures have influenced the number of US people being diagnosed with certain cancers.

figure f

Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program

Highs and lows

Some cancers have much better prognoses than others. Breast and prostate cancer have benefited from improved treatments and early detection.

figure g

Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program