What is the regional burden?

In 2012, there were 550 000 new cases of cancer and 370 000 deaths. Of all six WHO regions, the Eastern Mediterranean is expected to have the highest increase in cancer incidence over the next 15 years. The most common cancers affecting men are lung and bladder, and for women, breast and colorectal. Most cancer patients in the region seek treatment at an advanced stage, when a cure is improbable, even with the best treatments.