Worldwide Cost of New Cancers $305 Billion: Study

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The world will see 12.9 million new cancer cases this year, with an estimated cost of $305 billion, according to a report presented Monday at the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland.

Cancer will continue increasing, jumping to 16.8 million new cases in 2020, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit, based in New York.

Anticipating a treatment expenditure gap of $217 billion in 2009 alone, experts called for greater cancer-control efforts worldwide, the Irish Times reported.

The report did not say how much each country needs to fill the gap, but the biggest void is seen in developing countries, where cancer is increasing but treatment is limited if even available, it said.

The report was commissioned by Livestrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, with support from the American Cancer Society. The estimate was based on costs involving the 26 most common cancers and included medical expenditures, time spent by family members caring for a loved one and contributions by non-governmental agencies, the Irish Times said.