Despite the various provisos concerning data quality and methods of estimation, we believe that the estimates in GLOBOCAN 2008 are the most accurate that can be made at present, and may be used in setting of priorities for cancer control actions in different regions and countries of the world. The continuing growth and ageing of the world’s population mean that, even with current (2008) rates of incidence and mortality, the burden of cancer will continue to increase. Already the majority of the global cancer burden now occurs in developing countries, these proportions will rise in the next decades if rates remained unchanged. However, it seems likely that changes in lifestyle (tobacco and alcohol consumption, nutritional habits, physical activity) added to those pre-existing risk factors (especially cancerrelated infections) will produce dramatic changes in the burden of cancer in many developing countries in forthcoming years.