The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that breast cancer killed about 694,000 women globally in 2024, with major disparities in survival persisting between low- and high-income countries.
The WHO, in its message marking the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, said 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide in 2024, while 8.2 million women were living with the disease at the end of the year.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women globally and was the leading cancer among women in 164 of 186 countries in 2024, the agency said.
The month-long campaign, which runs from October 1 to 31, is themed, “Every story is unique, every journey matters,” with the WHO calling for earlier detection, timely diagnosis and access to quality treatment.
The agency said survival remains sharply unequal, noting that only 41 per cent of women in low-income countries are expected to survive at least five years after a breast cancer diagnosis, compared with 87 per cent in high-income countries.
It added that about 70 per cent of breast cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to early detection, diagnosis and comprehensive treatment is more limited.
According to the WHO, breast cancer can occur in women of any age after puberty, with the incidence increasing later in life.
It said about 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women who have no specific risk factors other than being female and increasing age.
The organisation identified increasing age, obesity, alcohol use, family history, previous radiation exposure, reproductive history and tobacco use among factors associated with increased breast cancer risk.
However, it stressed that most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known family history of the disease.
The WHO urged women to seek medical attention when they notice unusual breast changes, including a lump or thickening, changes in the size or shape of the breast, skin or nipple changes, or abnormal or bloody nipple discharge.
It said early detection and prompt access to diagnosis and treatment were critical to improving survival.
The agency said countries should aim to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5 per cent annually, which it said could avert 2.5 million breast cancer deaths by 2040.
It called for breast cancer services to be included in essential health benefit packages under universal health coverage and made available through public health facilities.
The WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) has set three targets aimed at closing gaps in breast cancer care.
The targets are to ensure that 60 per cent of invasive breast cancers are diagnosed at Stage I or II; reduce the period from first detection or presentation of symptoms at a health facility to diagnosis to 60 days; and ensure that 80 per cent of people diagnosed with breast cancer receive recommended complete treatment.
The WHO said achieving the targets would require action across the cancer care pathway, including health promotion, early detection, timely diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and supportive care.
The agency urged governments, health professionals, organisations and communities to strengthen breast cancer services and remove barriers that prevent people from accessing timely and quality care.