Brazil is expected to have 781 thousand new cases of cancer per year between 2026 and 2028. Cancer is close to cardiovascular diseases as the main cause of death in the country.
The data appears in the publication Estimativa 2026-2028: Incidence of Cancer in Brazil, from the National Cancer Institute (Inca), released this Wednesday (4), in Rio de Janeiro, on World Cancer Day.
According to Inca, the numbers reflect the aging of the population, but also regional inequalities and persistent challenges in access to prevention, early diagnosis and rapid treatment.
Among men, the five most common types of cancer are prostate (30.5%), colon and rectum (10.3%), lung (7.3%), stomach (5.4%) and oral cavity (4.85).
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Among women, breast cancer (30%), colon and rectum (10.5%), cervix (7.4%), lung (6.4%) and thyroid (5.1%) predominate.
Regional inequalities
According to Inca, cervical cancer is among the most prevalent in the north and northeast of the country. Stomach cancer has a higher incidence among men in the north and northeast. Tumors associated with smoking (lung and oral cavity) are more frequent in the south and southeast.
For Inca, the differences reflect unequal access to prevention, screening and treatment. “Brazil is a heterogeneous country which has to do with urbanization and exposure to risk factors such as lack of basic sanitation. But we are very concerned about colon and rectal cancer because the incidence has been increasing. It has to do with early exposure to risk factors, increase in obesity and sedentary lifestyle. This shows that something needs to be done”, said the general director of Inca, Roberto Gil.
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The Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, highlighted that cervical cancer has been decreasing with vaccination against HPV (Human Papillomavirus). “The most important thing is prevention, it is to combat habits that lead to cancer such as tobacco, especially among younger people, with electronic devices, the growth of obesity”, stated the minister.
Padilha also fulfilled another agenda in Rio de Janeiro this Wednesday, which was Amil’s adherence to the Agora Tem Especialistas program, which will represent 600 surgeries in private hospitals that will be open to patients who are waiting in queues at the Unified Health System (SUS).
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