Seattle, Apr 03: A new study published in The Lancet highlights that childhood cancer remains the eighth-leading cause of death among children globally, with outcomes heavily influenced by access to healthcare resources.
The findings, part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study, were led by researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The study estimates that in 2023, there were approximately 377,000 new cases of childhood cancer worldwide, resulting in 144,000 deaths.
While global childhood cancer mortality has declined by 27% since 1990, the burden remains disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These regions accounted for 85% of new cases, 94% of deaths, and 94% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2023, underscoring stark global inequities.
“While outcomes for many childhood cancers have improved in high-income countries, these gains have not been equitably shared,” said Lisa Force, lead author from IHME. “Delays in diagnosis, limited access to treatment, and systemic healthcare challenges continue to drive disparities in LMICs.”
Urgent Need for Investment in Cancer Care Systems
The study emphasizes that improving survival rates will require significant investment in cancer control systems, particularly in LMICs. Key priorities include:
- Strengthening referral systems for early diagnosis
- Expanding access to chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy
- Enhancing workforce training
- Improving cancer registries and surveillance systems
Regions such as the WHO African and Western Pacific regions reported the highest number of cases, with the WHO African Region experiencing the greatest mortality rates. Notably, deaths in the African region have increased by nearly 56% since 1990.
Most Common Childhood Cancers
The study identified the most burdensome childhood cancers globally as:
- Leukemia
- Brain and central nervous system cancers
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Nearly half of all childhood cancer deaths in 2023 were linked to six key cancers identified under the World Health Organization’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC).
Global Efforts to Improve Survival Rates
World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, continues to advance global initiatives aimed at improving childhood cancer survival rates to at least 60% by 2030.
“These data provide a critical tool to monitor progress and evaluate the global effort to reduce childhood cancer deaths,” said Nickhill Bhakta, senior author and director at St. Jude Global. “Our mission is to ensure equitable access to life-saving care for children worldwide.”
The study underscores the urgent need for coordinated global action to address disparities in childhood cancer outcomes and ensure that advancements in treatment benefit children everywhere, regardless of geography or economic status.
