Global Analysis Sheds Light on Women’s Cancer Trends

As National Women’s Health Week approaches, a new study underscores the growing burden of female cancers worldwide.¹ The global impact of breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers has risen significantly since 1990, and new projections warn that incidence rates for breast and ovarian cancers will continue to climb through 2050—emphasizing the urgent need for targeted, gender-specific public health strategies.

Given their profound health, economic, and societal consequences, understanding the burden and risk factors associated with FBCUO cancers is essential. | Image credit: ST.art - stock.adobe.com

The study, published in BMC Cancer, draws on data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study to analyze global, regional, and national trends in incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and key risk factors for breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian (FBCUO) cancers from 1990 to 2021, with forecasts extending to 2050.

“Over the past 30 years, healthcare providers have observed that social factors associated with globalization may be contributing to the increasing number of women at risk for gynecological tumors. The heterogeneity at the national level underscores the importance of robust and nuanced healthcare and public health policies,” the authors wrote.

Cancer continues to pose a significant threat to global public health, particularly for women, with breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers (FBCUO) accounting for an estimated 3,294,316 new cases in 2022—accounting for 16.5% of all cancer diagnoses, 1,220,712 deaths, and 12.6% of cancer-related fatalities, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.² This is especially concerning in low- and middle-income countries where maternal deaths from these cancers account for nearly half of all orphans worldwide.³ Given their profound health, economic, and societal consequences, understanding the burden and risk factors associated with FBCUO cancers is essential.

Despite known risk factors such as BRCA mutations, hormonal exposure, obesity, and lifestyle behaviors, significant regional disparities persist, highlighting the need for more precise, data-driven strategies.

Researchers used the Global Burden of Disease 2021 data to track trends in FBCUO cancers in women aged 15 years and older from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries. They analyzed cancer cases, deaths, and overall health impact. Using statistical models, they identified how age, time period, and birth year influenced cancer trends and pinpointed when significant changes occurred over time.

In 2021, female breast cancer had the highest global burden among major gynecologic cancers, with 2.0 million new cases, 0.6 million deaths, and contributing to 20.2 million DALYs. Cervical cancer followed with 0.6 million cases, 0.2 million deaths, and 9.9 million DALYs. Uterine cancer saw 0.4 million cases, 90,000 deaths, and 2.5 million DALYs, while ovarian cancer accounted for 0.2 million cases, 100,000 deaths, and 5.1 million DALYs.

The highest age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) for breast cancer was 46.4 per 100,000, with the highest rate seen in Monaco. Cervical cancer had an ASIR of 15.3, highest in Kiribati. Uterine and ovarian cancers had lower ASIRs of 10.4 and 6.7, respectively, with the United Arab Emirates showing the highest rates for both.

Breast cancer incidence and DALYs peaked in women aged 55 to 59 years, while deaths peaked at 95 years and older. Cervical cancer peaked in incidence and DALYs at 50 to 54 years, with deaths peaking at 55 to 59 years. Uterine cancer cases peaked at 60 to 64 years, and ovarian cancer at 55 to 59 years, with both seeing deaths peak around 65 to 69 years. Age-standardized death and disease burden rates for all cancers were generally highest in the 95 years and older age group.

From 1990 to 2021, the global burden of female breast cancer, as measured by attributable DALYs, increased from 2.9 million to 5.1 million. While the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) linked to red meat consumption and alcohol use declined overall—particularly in higher socio-demographic index (SDI) regions—lower SDI quintiles saw either stable or rising trends. Smoking remained a leading risk factor for breast cancer across all SDI levels in 2021, although its associated ASDR generally decreased or stayed stable over time. Physical inactivity followed a similar pattern, with most regions showing declines or stability.

For cervical cancer, DALYs rose from 7.4 million in 1990 to 9.9 million in 2021, with decreasing ASDR trends for key risk factors such as unsafe sex and smoking across all SDI quintiles. Unsafe sex was the predominant global risk factor for cervical cancer in 2021.

Uterine cancer DALYs more than doubled over the same period, with high body mass index (BMI) showing a largely stable ASDR trend globally, though a few countries experienced slight declines.

Ovarian cancer DALYs also doubled, with stable ASDR trends for asbestos exposure and high BMI, except for some variation in middle and low-middle SDI quintiles.

Looking ahead, projections using a Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model suggest that global case numbers for breast and ovarian cancers will continue to rise through 2050, while cervical and uterine cancer cases are expected to decline.

The authors concluded, “To achieve a substantial reduction in the incidence of female cancers by 2050, the global health response must consider the specific needs and challenges faced by women as a group. By addressing these issues comprehensively, we can work towards a healthier future for women worldwide.”

References

1. Li Y, Song W, Gao P, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancer and their risk factors among women from 1990 to 2021, and projections to 2050: findings from the global burden of disease study 2021. BMC Cancer. 2025;25(1):330. doi:10.1186/s12885-025-13741-9

2. Bray F, Laversanne M, Sung H, et al. Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;74(3):229-263. doi:10.3322/caac.21834

3. Guida F, Kidman R, Ferlay J, et al. Global and regional estimates of orphans attributed to maternal cancer mortality in 2020. Nat Med. 2022;28(12):2563–72. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-02109-2