According to statistics, cancer is one of the leading causes of death across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that cancer was responsible for 9.6 million deaths in 2018 alone.
While it’s true that many types of cancer can be successfully treated if diagnosed early, there are some forms of cancer that have a much lower rate of survival. Here are ten of the deadliest cancers that are currently being investigated:.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, responsible for over 1.7 million deaths in 2018. Lung cancer develops when abnormal cells in the lungs begin to grow and divide uncontrollably.
Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, but exposure to certain chemicals can also increase the risk of developing this deadly disease.
Pancreatic Cancer
Another extremely deadly form of cancer is pancreatic cancer, which has an overall five-year survival rate of just 9%. This type of cancer is difficult to detect and is often not discovered until it has spread to other parts of the body.
Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with over 830,000 deaths in 2018.
Liver cancer is often associated with cirrhosis, a condition that occurs when the liver is damaged and scarred, usually as a result of alcohol abuse or chronic hepatitis B or C infection.
Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world and is responsible for over 780,000 deaths annually. This type of cancer is often not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage, leading to a poor prognosis for many patients.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the ovaries, the reproductive organs responsible for producing eggs. This type of cancer is often difficult to detect in its early stages, leading to a lower survival rate.
In recent years, however, new treatments have been developed that can extend the lives of many ovarian cancer patients.
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. This type of cancer is often diagnosed in its later stages, which means that many patients have a lower chance of survival.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the bladder, the organ responsible for storing urine. While bladder cancer is often treatable, it can be deadly if it spreads to other parts of the body.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, accounting for over two million new cases annually. While most breast cancers are curable if detected early, there are some types of breast cancer that have a lower survival rate.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the colon or rectum and is responsible for over 1.8 million new cases each year.
This type of cancer is often treatable if detected early, but late-stage diagnosis can lead to a poorer outcome for many patients.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
This type of cancer is often preventable through regular screening tests and vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can cause cervical cancer.
Conclusion
While cancer is a complex disease that can develop in any part of the body, some types of cancer are deadlier than others.
Scientists and researchers are continually investigating new and innovative ways to detect and treat these cancers, leading to improved outcomes and longer survival rates for many patients.