Lebanon is grappling with a devastating public health crisis, as a new study identifies it as the country with the fastest-growing rate of cancer cases and deaths worldwide.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Between 1990 and 2023, Lebanon witnessed a staggering 162% increase in new cancer diagnoses, while the mortality rate from the disease surged by approximately 80% during the same period.
The nation now registers some of the highest cancer rates in the Middle East region, particularly for breast cancer, lung cancer, and bladder cancer.
The rate of breast cancer in Lebanon, for example, was found to be exceptionally high compared to other nations. Experts point to a combination of devastating factors behind this crisis, including extremely high smoking prevalence, severe air pollution (worsened by the excessive use of generators), exposure to agricultural chemicals, and a critically weakened public health system.
