The cancer agency of the World Health Organization issued a warning on Thursday, predicting that there will be over 35 million new instances of cancer in 2050, a 77 percent increase over the number in 2022.

Significant contributors to the predicted increase were air pollution, alcohol, tobacco, and obesity, according to the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

A statement stated, “Over 35 million new cancer cases are predicted in 2050,” a 77-percent rise over the approximately 20 million cases that were detected in 2022.

The world’s cancer burden is increasing at an accelerating rate due to changes in risk factor exposure, many of which are linked to socioeconomic development, as well as population aging and growth.

“Tobacco, alcohol and obesity are key factors behind the increasing incidence of cancer, with air pollution still a key driver of environmental risk factors.”

According to the WHO, the most developed nations are anticipated to see the biggest increases in case counts, with an extra 4.8 million new cases anticipated in 2050 compared with forecasts for 2022.

However, when expressed as percentages, the countries at the bottom of the UN’s Human Development Index (HDI) will have the most proportional rise, rising by 142%.

Additionally, it stated that countries in the medium range should see a 99 percent gain.

“Likewise, cancer mortality in these countries is projected to almost double in 2050,” the World Health Organization stated.

“Countries with varying HDI levels will not feel the full impact of this increase,” stated Freddie Bray, head of the IARC’s cancer surveillance section.

“Those who have the fewest resources to manage their cancer burdens will bear the brunt of the global cancer burden.”