India, Feb. 25 -- Breast cancer cases are expected to increase by 38 percent globally by 2050, with annual deaths from the disease projected to rise by 68 percent, according to a new report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialised branch of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The findings, published in Nature Medicine on Monday, warn that if current trends continue, the world will see 3.2 million new breast cancer cases and 1.1 million related deaths each year by mid-century.

The burden will be disproportionately felt in low- and middle-income countries, where access to early detection, treatment and care remains limited.

"Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one wom...