Experts have blamed unhealthy lifestyles for high cancer rates in wealthy countries such as Britain and Denmark.
Denmark has the world’s highest cancer rates, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.
It is followed by Ireland and Australia.
Britain has the 22nd highest cancer rates in the world – but the 11th highest for breast cancer, making its women especially susceptible to the disease, according to the figures.
But the world’s highest death rates from cancer are found in poorer countries such as Mongolia, Hungary and Armenia.
The WCRF said Britain’s high breast cancer rates could be linked to obesity and alcohol drinking. And it said Denmark suffered from high smoking and drinking rates.
Medical adviser Professor Martin Wiseman said high rates in Britain, Denmark and other countries were "not inevitable" – and about a third of the illnesses could be prevented by healthy lifestyles.
He said: "We know that people in high-income countries are more likely to be overweight, to drink a lot of alcohol and to be inactive.
"There is strong scientific evidence that these factors increase risk of several common cancers and these figures show the effect of this. When you look at the list, it is clear that the countries that do worse for these factors tend to be nearer the top."
The British government pledged an awareness campaign to reduce cancer deaths.
National cancer director Professor Sir Mike Richards said: "There are many important factors to consider when looking at cancer incidence figures – for example smoking, alcohol, obesity, and other lifestyle choices.
"We want to vastly improve cancer outcomes – that is why we will shortly be launching the first ever Government awareness campaign for cancer, to promote earlier diagnosis and to save more lives."
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