Cancer deaths worldwide by major type 2020

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide, accounting for 1.79 million deaths in 2020. The second most deadly form of cancer is colorectum cancer, followed by stomach and liver cancer. However, lung cancer is only the sixth leading cause of death worldwide, with heart disease and stroke accounting for the highest share of deaths.

Male vs. female cases

Given that lung cancer causes the highest number of cancer deaths worldwide, it may be unsurprising to learn that lung cancer is the most common form of new cancer cases among males. However, among females, breast cancer is by far the most common form of new cancer cases. In fact, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, followed by prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a very close second to lung cancer among the cancers with the highest rates of new cases among men.

Male vs. female deaths

Lung cancer is by far the deadliest form of cancer among males but is the second deadliest form of cancer among females. Breast cancer, the most prevalent form of cancer among females worldwide, is also the deadliest form of cancer among females. Although prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among men, it is the sixth deadliest cancer. Lung, liver, stomach, colorectum, and oesophagus cancers all have higher deaths rates among males.