Estimates of the worldwide incidence and mortality from 27 major cancers and for all cancers combined for 2012 are now available in the GLOBOCAN series of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We review the sources and methods used in compiling the national cancer incidence and mortality estimates, and briefly describe the key results by cancer site and in 20 large "areas" of the world. Overall, there were 14.1 million new cases and 8.2 million deaths in 2012. The most commonly diagnosed cancers were lung (1.82 million), breast (1.67 million), and colorectal (1.36 million); the most common causes of cancer death were lung cancer (1.6 million deaths), liver cancer (745,000 deaths), and stomach cancer (723,000 deaths).According to WHO estimates for 2011, cancer now causes more deaths than all coronary heart disease or all stroke.1 The continuing global demographic and epidemiologic transitions signal an ever-increasing cancer burden over the next decades, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMIC), with over 20 million new cancer cases expected annually as early as 2025.2 The GLOBOCAN estimates for 2012 3 aim to provide the evidence and impetus for developing resource-contingent strategies to reduce the cancer burden worldwide.We review here the fifth version of GLOBOCAN, the sources and methods used in compiling cancer incidence and mortality estimates for 2012 in 184 countries worldwide, and briefly describe the key results by cancer site. The basic units for estimation are countries, although we present the results globally, by level of development and for aggregated regions, as defined by the United Nations. 4 Such estimates have been prepared for 27 major cancers and for all cancers combined and by sex. While the methods of estimation have been refined over time, they still rely upon the best available data on cancer incidence and mortality at the national level in assembling regional and global profiles. Facilities for the tabulation and graphical visualisation of the full dataset of 184 countries and 30 world regions by sex can be accessed via the GLOBOCAN homepage (http://globocan.iarc.fr).To document the methods used in compiling the estimates and guide users as to their validity, we introduce an alphanumeric scoring system that provides information on the availability and quality of the incidence and mortality sources at the country level. DataIncidence data derive from population-based cancer registries (PBCR). Although PBCR may cover national populations, more often they cover smaller, subnational areas, and, particularly in countries undergoing development, only selected urban areas. In 2006, about 21% of the world population was covered by PBCR, with sparse registration in Asia (8% of the total population) and in Africa (11%). 5 In terms of what is considered data of high quality (for example, those included in the latest volume (X) of the IARC Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) series 6 ), these percentages are even lower: only 14% of the world population is covered by...

Background Excess body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of cancer. To inform public health policyand future research, we estimated the global burden of cancer attributable to excess BMI. Methods Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were derived using relative risks and BMI estimates in adults by age, sex and country. Assuming a10-year lag-period, PAFs were calculated using BMI estimates in 2002. GLOBOCAN2012 was used to compute numbers of new cancer cases attributable to excess BMI. In an alternative scenario, we computed the proportion of potentially avoidable cancers assuming that populations maintained their BMI-level observed in 1982. Secondary analyses were performed to test the model and estimate the impactof hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and smoking. Findings Worldwide, we estimated that 481,000 or 3·6% of all new cancer cases in 2012 were attributable to excess BMI. PAFs were greater in women compared with men (5·4% versus 1·9%). The burden was concentrated in countries with very high and high human development index (HDI, PAF: 5·3% and 4·8%) compared with countries with moderate and low HDI (PAF: 1·6% and 1·0%). Corpus uteri, post-menopausal breast and colon cancers accounted for approximately two-thirds (64%) of excess BMI attributable cancers. One fourth (~118,000) of all cases related to excess BMI in 2012 could be attributed to the rising BMI since 1982. Interpretation These findings further underpin the need for a global effort to abate the rising trends in population-level excess weight. Assuming that the relationship between excess BMI and cancer is causal and the current pattern of population weight gain continues, this will likely augment the future burden of cancer. Funding World Cancer Research Fund, Marie Currie Fellowship, the National Health and Medical Research Council Australia and US NIH.

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Smoking causes a large and growing number of premature deaths in India.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and US National Institutes of Health.