Cancer cases in Qatar may increase by up to 218% by 2030, warns a study by an international organisation for cancer research.

According to a report titled "Globocan 2012, Cancer Incidence Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide" by International Agency for Cancer Research, the total number of cancer cases in Qatar was 1017 in 2012. At the prevailing rates, it is forecast that the total number will go up to 3,235 by 2030.

World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, has conducted a study on making the treatment of the disease affordable and present its findings at the WISH summit slated for February 17 and 18 at Qatar National Convention Centre.

The "Delivering Affordable Cancer Care" report reveals that there were 13.3 mn new cases of cancer in 2010, and the number is projected to rise to 21.5 mn in 2030. It is estimated that from 2008 to 2030, cancer incidence will rise by 65 % in high-income countries, 80 % in middle-income countries, and 100 % in the world’s poorest countries.

The report says that worldwide spending on cancer has now reached equivalent to the GDP of Hong Kong. Cancer is responsible for 5–7 % of healthcare costs in high-income countries and reached approximately $290 bn per year in 2010. The report says that cancer is the second largest contributor to the non-communicable disease burden.

Some of the early findings of the report have been released to mark World Cancer Day, observed on 4th February (today) to help drive awareness of the global cancer burden. This throws clear light on the true scale of the problem and calls on governments, policymakers and healthcare organisations to tackle the rising cost of the disease.

The WISH report will highlight that health economies worldwide are expecting increases of 16–32 % in new cancer diagnoses over the next 10 years and projections from the US, United Kingdom and Australia suggest that cancer costs in these countries could increase by as much as 42–66 % above current levels by 2025.

The report will also present evidence that in many cases, cancer could be treated very differently and that there are too many instances of over-treatment and needless use of expensive technology. It will highlight innovative projects from around the world that have driven efficiencies and improved treatments for patients.

Prof Robert J S Thomas, WISH Forum Chair said: “Our aim is to develop a plan to encourage governments, policymakers and large healthcare organisations to take up and recognise the problem of affordability. It is a really key issue for patients at all levels and it is a key issue for governments. What we want is a plan which will help patients in the long term.”

Prof the Lord Darzi of Denham, executive chair of WISH said: “The challenge of cancer is daunting and it will intensify. This report brings together the greatest minds in the field of cancer care to deliver valuable insight that will help policymakers and healthcare professionals find solutions to address the significant cost and health consequences of this unforgiving disease.”

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