Global health experts have warned that cancer will overtake heart disease to become the leading cause of death in the world by 2010. A World Health Organization (WHO) report issued Tuesday said one of the factors that was spurring cancer along was rising cigarette smoking with 40 % of the world's smokers in developing countries like India and China. Other factors that would contribute to the increase in the deadly disease were high fat diets and a decrease in physical activity.

The WHO report estimates that 12 million people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year and 7.6 million of them will die. The report also estimates that by
2030 an estimated 20 to 26 million new cancer diagnoses will be made and there will be between 13 to 17 million cancer related deaths.

Peter Boyle, director of the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer said, "The rapid increase in the global cancer burden represents a real challenge for health systems worldwide."

Leading global cancer organizations met Tuesday in Atlanta asking the US to comprehensively regulate tobacco use and invest in cancer vaccines and research called on governments to act on an immediate ratification of an international tobacco control treaty. There were fears that some developing nations do not recognize the urgency to take action.

"It is my hope that by bringing proven interventions to places in the world impacted most by this disease, we can diminish needless suffering and save many lives," said John Seffrin of the American Cancer Society. The organization announced it would launch a service to help tobacco users quit smoking in India.

Lung cancer was found to be the leader in rates of incidence and mortality in the world. Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women in poorer nations, while breast cancer incidence rates have increased by up to five % per year.

Lance Armstrong, the world cycling champion who has helped increase awareness of the disease after he survived testicular cancer said, "Even in a challenging economy, people realize that with cancer there is progress to be made and prevention measures to be taken."

Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of the breast cancer foundation Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, pushed for a "global health diplomacy" approach. The report's conclusion was that the troubling trends could be reduced by increasing awareness, developing cancer prevention and acquiring more cancer data.