Y BHARATHI, Deepak Kumar JHA
İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy - 2026;56(1):105-119
Background: Cancer is a major global health crisis. WHO projections indicate a 60% rise in cancer cases by 2040 due to lifestyle changes and an ageing population, placing a significant burden on healthcare systems, economies, and families, particularly in developing countries with limited access to medical resources. Objective: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and potential pathways to reducing cancer mortality and improving patient outcomes worldwide. Materials and Methods: For this review, we synthesised peer-reviewed literature from indexed journals such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, and ScienceDirect. Results: Key risk factors, including smoking, poor diet, environmental pollution, and physical inactivity, further drive the increasing prevalence of cancer. Despite these challenges, advancements in cancer research and global initiatives provide hope. WHO-led programmes, such as the Global Initiative for Cancer Care and the Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy, alongside collaborative efforts like the Cancer Moonshot Initiative and Medicines Patent Pool, are improving cancer prevention, screening, and treatment worldwide. Innovations in precision oncology, including next-generation sequencing, liquid biopsies, nanotechnology-based drug delivery, and gene-editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 and CAR-T cell therapy, are transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment. While these advancements enhance patient outcomes, challenges such as off-target effects, ethical concerns, and gene delivery limitations must be addressed for broader clinical implementation. Conclusion: A comprehensive, multi-pronged approach combining scientific advancements, equitable healthcare access, and preventive strategies is crucial to mitigating the global cancer burden.
