A new report commissioned by The Lancet Oncology warns that by 2050, the global cancer workforce will be short by 100 million staff, as cancer cases rise to 35.3 million annually and deaths to 18.5 million.
Most of the projected shortages are in nursing, and diagnostic roles such as radiologists and pathologists. The research, led by radiologist Hedvig Hricak of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and oncologist Patrick Loehrer of Indiana University, highlights that low- and middle-income countries will bear the brunt-seven out of every 10 cancer diagnoses will occur there.
Shortages are especially severe in Africa and Asia, where five-year net cancer survival rates are predicted to be just 34% and 39%, respectively. In contrast, high-income regions like North America and Oceania are expected to reach 60% survival. The report calls for urgent strategies including a global workforce registry, task-shifting, and increased investment in AI and digital health solutions.