FUTURE CANCER CRISIS: CAUSES, HEALTH CHALLENGES, PREVENTION AND CONTROL STRATEGIES

Cancer is expected to become an increasingly significant global health challenge, raising concerns about how future cancer burden can be prevented and effectively controlled. Population aging, rapid urbanization, unhealthy lifestyles, environmental pollution, and persistent exposure to carcinogenic agents are major factors contributing to the anticipated increase in cancer incidence and mortality. The growing cancer burden places substantial physical, psychological, social, and economic pressures on individuals, families, and healthcare systems, while disparities in access to early diagnosis, advanced treatment, and palliative care further intensify these challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This review examines the major determinants of the future cancer crisis, including genetic susceptibility, tobacco and alcohol consumption, obesity, unhealthy dietary patterns, physical inactivity, infections, occupational hazards, and environmental exposures. It further highlights evidence-based strategies for cancer prevention and control, including lifestyle modification, vaccination against oncogenic infections, population-based screening, early detection, precision medicine, equitable access to quality treatment, cancer surveillance, public awareness, and strengthened national cancer control programs. Overall, the evidence indicates that reducing the future cancer burden requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach involving governments, healthcare professionals, researchers, and communities. Strengthening prevention, promoting early diagnosis, ensuring equitable access to effective treatment, and integrating cancer care and surveillance will be essential to achieving sustainable reductions in cancer incidence and mortality worldwide.

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