The aim of the Maternal Orphans due to Cancer Deaths: Global Estimates project is to estimate the global number of orphans due to maternal deaths from cancer in 2020. The project will provide the first estimates of this number and will help increase awareness of the intergenerational impact of cancer deaths, highlighting the need to reduce avoidable deaths from cancer and the need for research on the affected generation.

An estimate of the number of maternal cancer orphans worldwide should give impetus to preventing cancer deaths in women, through cancer prevention and improvements in survival. The results of this project will also enable policy-makers and children’s or cancer foundations to gauge the extent of cancer orphans in national contexts, including orphans who have specific needs such as childcare and education.

This project forms part of the topic of Economic and Societal Impacts of Cancer, which was identified as an Emerging Priority in the IARC Medium-Term Strategy for 2021–2025. This topic includes cancer inequalities and the economics of cancer. Thus, this project will be conducted in collaboration with the IARC Cancer Inequalities Team.