A new international study has warned that the global fight against cancer could face significant challenges by 2050 due to growing shortages of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, diagnostic specialists, and imaging personnel, who play a critical role in early detection and treatment of the disease.

The study projects that workforce gaps across cancer care services could worsen as cancer incidence continues to rise worldwide, increasing pressure on already strained healthcare systems. Researchers found that shortages among nursing staff and diagnostic professionals could have a particularly significant impact on patient outcomes, delaying diagnosis and treatment for millions of patients.

According to the findings, expanding the cancer care workforce could substantially reduce cancer-related deaths globally. Scaling up the number of surgeons was projected to reduce global cancer mortality by 3.64%, with the greatest benefits expected in regions such as Africa, Asia, and Oceania. However, the largest impact was linked to strengthening diagnostic and imaging services, which researchers estimate could reduce cancer mortality by as much as 7.61%.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the WHO, nearly 20 million new cancer cases and approximately 9.7 million cancer-related deaths were reported globally in 2022. Experts expect these numbers to rise significantly over the coming decades due to population growth, ageing populations, and lifestyle-related risk factors.

Researchers emphasized that early diagnosis remains one of the most effective ways to improve cancer survival rates. However, shortages of radiologists, pathologists, oncology nurses, laboratory professionals, and imaging specialists continue to limit access to timely diagnosis and treatment in many countries.

Healthcare experts say the findings underscore the urgent need for governments, healthcare institutions, and policymakers to invest in workforce training, medical education, and cancer care infrastructure. Expanding the healthcare workforce, particularly in low- and middle income countries, will be critical to meeting future cancer care demands.

The study highlights that strengthening diagnostic capacity and specialist healthcare staffing today could play a decisive role in reducing cancer mortality and improving patient outcomes worldwide over the next 25 years.