Cancer cases in Asia now account for almost half of the global cancer burden, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization.

It estimates that of the 12.7 million new cancer cases every year worldwide, about 48 percent occur in Asia. That is also to say, Asia has many more cases of cancer than any other continent.

The continent with the second highest percentage is Europe, which accounts for 25 percent of the world's cancer cases.

While Asia is the continent with the highest number of cancer cases, its cancer rate is currently one of the lowest. The age-standardized incidence rates are 154 per 100,000 per year. Only Africa has a lower rate, at 111 per 100,000.

China Daily-Reuters-AFP