It’s rising to 93%.
A recent analysis has projected a dramatic increase in cancer incidence and mortality rates among men, with expected rises of 84% in cases and 93% in deaths by 2050. This research, published in Cancer, highlights that the most significant increases will be observed in men aged 65 and older, and in areas with lower to medium levels of human development, which measure a country’s health, education, and standard of living.
Habtamu Mellie Bizuayehu, the lead author from the University of Queensland, emphasized the critical need for both national and global actions to address the rising cancer burden. He recommended expanding universal health coverage, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and developing publicly funded medical education programs to improve cancer care and promote equity.
The study team, utilizing data from the Global Cancer Observatory, evaluated over 30 cancer types across 185 countries and territories. Their results are consistent with earlier World Health Organization (WHO) projections, which estimated a 77% increase in new cancer cases by 2050, potentially exceeding 35 million cases worldwide.
The WHO report attributed this surge to several factors, including an aging population, environmental hazards like air pollution, and lifestyle choices such as tobacco and alcohol consumption and obesity. The new study also identified smoking and alcohol use as major risk factors among men, compounded by lower engagement in cancer prevention and screening.
The findings underscore the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to enhance cancer prevention, treatment, and equity, especially in resource-limited regions and among older populations.
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