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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
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Global and Current Research Trends of Single-Cell Sequencing in Cancer: A Bibliometric and Visualization Study
Published on: April 18, 2025
Cancer workforce-a global crisis: a Lancet Oncology Commission
Hedvig Hricak1, Zachary J Ward2, Fabio Ynoe Moraes3
1Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
The Lancet. Oncology
|May 31, 2026
Summary
A critical global cancer workforce shortage, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), hinders cancer care and research. Scaling up this workforce could avert millions of cancer deaths and generate significant economic returns.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Oncology Workforce Development
- Cancer Disparities
Background:
- A significant shortage of trained personnel impedes cancer care delivery and research, exacerbating survival disparities between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- The global cancer burden is rising, particularly in LMICs, due to population growth, aging, and changing risk factors, necessitating a substantial increase in the cancer workforce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide actionable guidance for strengthening the global cancer workforce, with a specific focus on reducing cancer survival disparities.
- To model the current and future global landscape of 17 common cancers and 18 workforce personnel types to understand workforce needs.
Main Methods:
- Global modeling of 17 common cancers and 18 workforce personnel types to project future cancer burden and workforce requirements.
- Analysis of obstacles to workforce development and retention in LMICs, with examples from sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
Main Results:
- Cancer incidence is projected to increase globally, especially in LMICs. Over one-third of cancers worldwide remain undiagnosed, with over 60% in parts of Africa.
- In 2050, 5-year net survival for cancer is projected to be lowest in Africa (34%) and Asia (39%) compared to high-income settings (>60%).
- The global cancer workforce shortage is projected to reach 100 million by 2050, with critical shortages in nursing (65 million) and diagnostic specialists (16 million), particularly in Africa and Asia.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive scaling of the cancer workforce is projected to avert 170 million cancer deaths and yield US$120 trillion in net economic benefits by 2050.
- Key actions include establishing registries, fostering cross-sector partnerships for education and resources, and implementing task-shifting, digital health, and AI solutions.
- Investing in the cancer workforce is crucial for reducing global cancer disparities and improving survival outcomes.
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