Cancer's burden is on the rise in developing countries as deaths from infectious diseases and child mortality fall and more people live longer, American Cancer Society epidemiologist Ahmedin Jemal said in a telephone interview. Cancer is more common as people get older, Jemal noted.

Cancer also is increasing in developing countries as people embrace habits linked to cancer such as smoking and fattier diets, Jemal said.

The report estimated 5.4 million people will get cancer and 2.9 million will die of cancer in developed nations, with 6.7 million cases and 4.7 million deaths in developing nations.

Overall, 75 percent of children with cancer live for five years in Europe and North America, compared to three-year survival rates of only 48 to 62 percent in Central American countries.

Cancers related to infections, such as stomach, liver and cervical cancer, were more common in developing countries, the group said. Fewer people survive cancer in developing countries due to lack of availability of early detection and treatment services, according to the report.

Globally, 15 percent of all cancers are caused by infections. The Helicobacter pylori bacterium causes stomach cancer, human papillomavirus causes cervical cancer and hepatitis can cause liver cancer.

Among men, the three most commonly diagnosed cancers are prostate, lung and colorectal cancer in developed countries and lung, stomach and liver cancer in developing countries.

Among women, the three most common cancers are lung, breast and colorectal in developed countries and breast, cervical and stomach cancer in developing countries.

About 465,000 women will die of breast cancer this year, making it the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, the group said.

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