At the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cancer Congress in Hong Kong on Thursday, speakers warned that the global cancer burden is rising rapidly and that millions of patients still lack timely diagnosis and adequate care.
More than 2,000 delegates from 124 countries are attending the three-day congress, organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, to discuss prevention, early detection, treatment, and the need for more equitable cancer care worldwide.
The congress is taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from Thursday to Saturday.
Ulrika Årehed Kågström, president of the UICC, welcomed delegates and thanked the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, local authorities, and representatives of China in Hong Kong for organizing the event.
She described the gathering as extraordinary, noting over 2,000 delegates from 124 countries and said, “Despite all these differences, we are united by a common purpose: to reduce cancer burden, address inequities, and improve survival.”
Ulrika stated that global cancer cases are projected to rise by 29% to 26.5 million annually by 2035, with deaths expected to increase by 37% to 12.9 million.
She noted that Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania are experiencing a faster increase in cancer cases and deaths compared to North America and Europe.
She cautioned that access to quality cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and supportive care remains highly unequal, with lower-income countries facing significant challenges in infrastructure, workforce capacity, treatment options, and affordability.
The estimated global economic cost of cancer from 2020 to 2050 was $25.2 trillion.
Ulrika stated that the UICC's new 10-year strategy prioritizes stronger cancer-control systems, increased investment in prevention and early detection, and more equitable access to treatment and care.
She also highlighted advances in targeted drugs, immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, mRNA vaccines, and artificial intelligence, but cautioned that high costs and underdeveloped health systems prevent many patients from accessing these innovations.
“Progress by itself is not sufficient,” she said.
She stated that misinformation is hindering efforts to promote HPV and hepatitis B vaccination, even though these vaccines can prevent cancers.
She noted that although 81% of countries have national cancer-control plans, fewer than 10% are fully funded.
The president of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society stated that cancer remains a leading cause of death in the city.
He emphasized the importance of public education, research, collaboration among medical professionals, and comprehensive support for patients and caregivers.
He explained that "prevent, fight and cure" is more than a motto; it is a mission to ensure every patient receives care and every caregiver is supported.
Eric Chan, Hong Kong's chief secretary, Professor Lo Chung-mau, the health secretary, and representatives from China's National Cancer Center, including Professor Jiemin Fang, attended the opening ceremony.
Fang said no country or organization could address the global cancer crisis alone.
He stated that solidarity, collaboration, and shared innovation are the most effective tools in the global fight against cancer.
He stated that the Congress will focus on people-centered cancer care, including prevention, screening, accurate diagnosis, innovative treatment, health policy reform, and rehabilitation.
The program included a pre-recorded message from Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, who acknowledged progress in cancer control but noted that major inequalities persist.
He stated that global tobacco consumption has decreased by one-third and continues to decline in 140 countries, with cancer survival rates improving in many of them.
He said that scientific advances had made it possible "to dare to dream of eliminating cervical cancer worldwide".
Tedros noted that the World Health Organization's first global survey of people with cancer found that over half reported mental health issues, while the rest faced financial hardship, including selling their homes to pay for care.
Inequities continue to exist; there are still large differences in terms of survival between high- and low-income countries, and premature cancer death is increasing in 48 countries, Tedros said.
He focused on eliminating these gaps.
The congress will feature sessions on prevention, screening and early detection, cancer research and innovation, health systems and policies, cancer treatment and palliative care, tobacco control, and the experiences of people living with cancer.
Cancer specialists, researchers, policymakers, government representatives, patient organizations, civil-society groups, and private-sector representatives are attending this three-day conference.
A traditional Chinese lion dance show in vibrant colors was performed on the main stage during the opening ceremony.
