Mongolia’s has the highest cancer mortality rate in the world. Really!

Most likely a piece of junk journalism! They are trying to sell more cancer screening in Mongolia!

Mongolia is about the 24th largest country in the world with a very low population density of about 2 per square miles, lower than e.g. Canada at 4.

And what about the incidence of cancer in the population of Mongolia? Is it as high as in other countries or lower? The percentage of cancer cases per population in Mongolia (about 0.20%) is lower than in the US (0.71%) in 2022 (Data source, own calculations). Could it be underreporting of cancer in Mongolia or is life in largely rural Mongolia less cancerous?  

"... Mongolia has the highest cancer mortality rate in the world—a troubling trend national health officials are seeking to reverse through an ambitious new screening program that has now reached 40% of the country’s population. 

Behind the high rates: Mongolia’s cancer mortality rate is 194 per 100,000, compared with the global rate of 111.

The high death rate is driven by late diagnosis: ~30% of Mongolians lead a nomadic lifestyle herding cattle, with little access to preventative medical care. 

Improving early screening: The new screening program, which is in its second year, is available to all citizens and includes six different packages of tests depending on age.

Ongoing barriers: Most inpatient cancer treatments are only available in the nation’s capital Ulaanbaatar. ..."

Global Health NOW: Africa’s Growing Drug Resistance; Babies at the Center of Sepsis Crisis; and Expanding Screening in Mongolia

Mongolia’s ambitious programme to tackle cancer death rates reaches 40% of population "Screening project aims to reduce highest cancer mortality rate in the world, but nomadic way of life means many in rural areas are unaware of services"