Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoWHO / CANCER GLOBAL STATUS REPORT
STORY: WHO / CANCER GLOBAL STATUS REPORT
TRT: 4:06
SOURCE: WHO
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT WHO ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 06 AND 08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Various shots, WHO headquarters building, flags, the main entrance
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Andre lIbawi, Team Lead for Cancer Control, WHO:
“The Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, released by the World Health Organization this week, sets out to tell the whole story for the first time. This is the most comprehensive assessment ever produced of where the world stands in preventing and controlling cancer. It presents the burden and it measures the performance of health systems. But this report does something more. It centres the experiences of the people with cancer that are actually affected.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
3. Close up, studio “on air” sign
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Andre lIbawi, Team Lead for Cancer Control, WHO
“There have been substantial successes. Cancer is being stigmatized in societies that once refused even to name it is being caught earlier. It is being treated more effectively than at any point in history. For example, global tobacco control use has fallen by 27% since 2010, saving millions of lives from tobacco related cancers. Cervical cancer, which has harmed the most vulnerable women, is now on a credible path to elimination. Survival probabilities continue to increase. These are real gains and they matter. But this report reminds us that far too many people are still being left behind.”
5. Med shot, lIbawi at the briefing
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the ARC Cancer Surveillance Unit:
“In 2024 alone in one year, almost 21 million people were newly diagnosed with cancer globally.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
7. Close up, studio “on air” sign
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the ARC Cancer Surveillance Unit:
“And nearly ten million people died from the disease.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
8. Close up, studio “on air” sign
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
9.SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the ARC Cancer Surveillance Unit:
“And nearly ten million people died from the disease.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
10. Close up, studio “on air” sign
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
11.SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the ARC Cancer Surveillance Unit:
“The report also shows deep variation, often rooted in differential inequality in the health system.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
12. Close up, studio “on air” sign
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
13.SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the ARC Cancer Surveillance Unit:
“While one in four people are expected to develop cancer in Europe or in North America, only one in 12 are expected to die from the disease. This is really different to the reality we see in sub-Saharan Africa.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
14. Close up, studio “on air” sign
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
15.SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the ARC Cancer Surveillance Unit:
“One in eight are expected to get diagnosis of cancer, but the risk of dying is similar to what we saw in Europe and the Americas. That is one in 12.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
16. Close up, studio “on air” sign
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
17.SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the ARC Cancer Surveillance Unit:
“Above all the statistics, though there is a positive message from this report. 4 in 10 new cancer cases are linked to risk factors for which we already know how to address. These include tobacco use, infections, alcohol use, and excess body weight.”
18. Med shot, speakers on screen
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Abigail Simon-Hart, Breast Cancer Survivor and Patient Advocate:
“Twelve years ago, just six months after my mother died from leukaemia, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of my family history. I was vigilant and I attended regular screening. On one occasion, however, I wasn't satisfied with my mammogram results. Thanks to private medical insurance, I was able to seek a second opinion, have a biopsy, and access timely, high quality care in the UK. Those opportunities gave me a fighting chance of survival, but we know that's not the reality for most people across Nigeria and most other low and middle income countries where delayed diagnosis, limited access to care and financial hardship far too often determine who lives and who dies.”
20. Med shot, speakers on screen
21. SOUNDBITE (English) Abigail Simon-Hart, Breast Cancer Survivor and Patient Advocate:
“When these voices are included in decision making, policies will become stronger, health systems become more responsive, and outcomes improve.”
22. Med shot, speakers on screen
23. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Andre lIbawi, Team Lead for Cancer Control, WHO:
“Cancer should never be seen as too expensive, too complex, or too difficult. When embedded in universal health coverage, governments have shown that cancer rates can be reduced and cancer survival can be improved, and there are plenty of case studies reflected in the report to summarize that.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
24. Close up, studio “on air” sign
06 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
25. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Andre lIbawi, Team Lead for Cancer Control, WHO:
“This is the story of all of us, and the way forward is clear. A cancer diagnosis is not one that is a death sentence. It's an opportunity for us to improve lives, to recalibrate how we care for people and to protect the most vulnerable.”
08 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
26. Wide shot, WHO exterior wall
Millions of people are facing physical, emotional and financial toll of cancer, a disease that claims more than 26 000 lives every day, according to a report released today by the World Health Organization (WHO). With an estimated 20.6 million new cases and close to 10 million deaths annually, cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally, after cardiovascular disease.
Reversing this trend will require a fundamental shift towards a people-centred approach that responds to the health needs and lived experiences of affected people and communities. Without urgent action, annual cancer cases are projected to rise to nearly 35 million by 2050.
The WHO Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, developed jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), provides comprehensive analysis of progress across key areas such as political commitment, cancer prevention – particularly through tobacco control and vaccination programmes – and investment in treatment.
