WHO: Breast cancer killed 694,000 women globally in 2024

The World Health Organisation reported that breast cancer killed approximately 694,000 women globally in 2024, with 2.4 million new diagnoses and 8.2 million women living with the disease by year's end. Breast cancer remained the most common cancer among women in 164 of 186 countries. Survival rates show stark inequality, with only 41 per cent of women in low-income countries expected to survive five years post-diagnosis versus 87 per cent in high-income nations. The 2026 awareness campaign runs from October 1 to 31 under the theme "Every story is unique, every journey matters." WHO urged earlier detection and treatment access, noting about 80 per cent of cases occur in women without specific risk factors beyond age and female sex.