The increasing use of tobacco, consumption of alcohol and highly processed foods and a lack of physical activity are to contribute to a global surge in cancer cases in the coming years, according to a report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Experts are predicting that the number of new cases could possibly soar 70 per cent to nearly 25 million cases each year over the next 20 years, however half of these cases could be preventable given their relation to lifestyle habits.

The 800-page World Cancer Report has suggested that increasing cases will effect the both rich and poor on a global scale, with increasing costs of treatment and care causing problems for even the wealthiest of economies.

Meanwhile, in less developed parts of the world, where reported cases are expected to be higher, countries are often ill-equipped financially, scientifically and technologically to combat the proposed wave of cases to come.

However, experts have expressed an emphasis on prevention, with a number of cases potentially influenced by a lack of physical exercise, sugar intake and alcohol consumption.

"Despite exciting advances, the report shows that we cannot treat our way out of the cancer problem," said Dr Christopher Wild, joint author of the report and the director of WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

“More commitment to prevention and early detection is desperately needed in order to complement improved treatments and address the alarming rise in the cancer burden globally."

Suggested methods of prevention include introducing a tax on sugared drinks, which may help to prevent cancers caused by people being overweight or having low levels of exercise.

Calls have also been made to seek to develop new strategies on decreasing alcohol consumption, which is thought to have contributed to cancers resulting in the death of 337,400 people in 2010.

More information on the World Cancer Report 2014 is available here.