A new study warns the world will need nearly 100 million additional cancer workers by 2050. The largest gaps are expected among nurses and diagnostic specialists, especially radiologists and pathologists, with Africa and Asia facing the most severe shortages.
The report, published by The Lancet Oncology Commission and presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, warns the shortage of trained personnel is a major barrier to reducing global disparities. The study projects deficits of 34.3 million workers in Africa and 57.3 million in Asia. No region is spared: low- and middle-income countries suffer from brain drain, while high-income nations face burnout and budget cuts.
Over 65 million additional nurses will be needed, along with 16 million diagnostic specialists. Commission co-lead Dr. Hedvig Hricak of Memorial Sloan Kettering called for immediate, country-specific strategies, including AI adoption and sustainable financing. Cancer cases are projected to rise from 20 million in 2022 to 35.3 million by 2050, with 70% of new cases in low- and middle-income countries. The authors stress that workforce shortages delay care and hinder research.