Wellness in Cancer and Neoplastic Diseases

Cancer is the first or second leading cause of death before age 70 years in 91 of 172 countries, ranking third or fourth in an additional 22 countries [1]. It accounts for 1 in every 6 deaths worldwide – more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined [1–3]. GLOBOCAN reported that an estimated 18.1 million cases of cancer were diagnosed around the world, with 9.6 million cancer deaths, in 2018. Approximately 70 percent of cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where a majority of these countries lack the medical resources and health systems to support the disease burden. The current risk of developing the disease in a lifetime is 1 in 8 for men and 1 in 10 for women [1]. Additionally, the economic impact of cancer is significant and continues to increase; in 2010, the total annual cost was estimated at approximately $1.16 trillion [3].