Measuring the
Cancer Burden

Without action, the worldwide cancer burden is expected to reach 21 million new diagnoses and 13 million deaths by 2030, with the most rapid increases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

The Cost of Cancer: Where to
From Here?

Cancer deaths worldwide for 2017 are estimated at over 25 000 per day, of which over two thirds occur in economically
developing countries. South Africa is one of these countries. Cancer affects every South African either financially
or emotionally in some way.

The Cost of Cancer in South Africa

Globocan 2022
South Africa

This seminal report unpacks the current and projected cost of cancer in South Africa, in monetary and human terms. It sounds a clear clarion call – cancer patients are suffering in a system that is inequitable and inefficient. With cancer cases predicted to double by 2030, unless dramatic action is taken the situation is going to get worse.
The report frames the need for standardised, quality cancer care within the constitutional right to health, highlighting that inequitable access means a violation of that right. The call is for a coming together of government and civil society partners, and health workers in public and private sectors, all centred on the patient voice, to create a road map for achieving quality, standardised and equitable access to cancer care for all.

Read the Report

Top cancers in South Africa: What the data shows

Cancer affects women and men differently in South Africa, and the most common cancers reflect differences in biology, exposure, and access to prevention and early detection services.

The most common cancers affecting women are:

Breast cancer, which is the leading cancer among women
Cervical cancer, which remains very common and often deadly due to late diagnosis
Skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma
Colorectal cancer
Cancer of the uterus

Cervical cancer stands out because many women are diagnosed late, increasing the risk of death. This highlights gaps in screening, HPV vaccination, and access to early care, especially for women relying on the public health system.

The most common cancers affecting men are:

Prostate cancer, the leading cancer among men
Skin cancers (basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma)
Colorectal cancer
Lung cancer
Oesophageal and stomach cancers

Many of these cancers are linked to lifestyle and environmental risks, such as smoking, alcohol use, and occupational exposures, as well as late diagnosis.  

Why These Differences Matter 
The differences in cancer patterns between women and men are closely linked to equitable access to prevention, screening, and early detection.

Women are more affected by cancers that are preventable and detectable early, such as cervical cancer, yet many do not get timely screening.
Men are more affected by cancers linked to lifestyle risks and late presentation, often seeking care only when symptoms are severe.

Skin and colorectal cancers appear in both groups, but outcomes depend heavily on early diagnosis and access to treatment.

The Equity Message 
Cancer outcomes are not only about biology, they are about who gets access to information, prevention, screening, and timely care. Improving HPV vaccination, screening programmes, early detection, and health system access can significantly reduce deaths from the most common cancers affecting both women and men.

View the Latest Data

Death statistics in South Africa (Mortality Data)

Death statistics in South Africa are compiled by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). Most deaths are certified by medical practitioners, though in some cases professional nurses, police officers, or traditional leaders may also certify a death.

All deaths are classified as natural or unnatural, and the medical cause of death is coded using WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), providing a standardised way to understand mortality patterns nationally and globally.

ICD-10 records three types of causes:

Immediate cause: the final disease or condition directly leading to death
Underlying cause: the disease or injury that initiated the chain of events
Contributing causes: additional conditions that contributed to death but were not part of the direct sequence

Death statistics are critical for monitoring cancer control. They help measure the true cancer burden, assess the impact of screening and early detection, track trends in late-stage diagnosis, evaluate treatment access and outcomes, and guide planning for survivorship support

Access Latest Death Statistics

Occupational Causes of Cancer Death

The Public Health Bulletin of South Africa (PHBSA) released its first dedicated Cancer and Occupation series in January 2026. This four-part publication draws on national mortality data from 2011–2015 to examine cancer deaths by usual occupation and industry.

Although based on retrospective data, this is the first national effort to link cancer mortality to specific occupational exposures and carcinogenic risks in South Africa. The findings offer new insights into patterns of occupational cancer and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy reform and workplace safety standards.

Focus of the First Publication

The inaugural report, Cancer Risks in the Workplace, uses mortality data to: