Cancer in men will double by 2050: the factors

>Those diagnosed with cancer would have protection against dismissal and access to teleworking

The cases of cancer in men and the number of deaths from this disease will almost double by 2050, with increasing disparities depending on age and economic situation of countries, according to a study analyzing 30 types of tumors and data from 185 countries.

The findings point to the need for efforts to improve cancer outcomes in an equitable manner, say researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia.

These include further strengthening the quality and accessibility of health infrastructure; promoting universal coverage using a human rights approach; and funding research into cancer screening programmes specific to men around the world, the authors write in their article published in the American Cancer Society’s journal Cancer.

Men experience higher rates of cancer-related deaths than women, likely due to a variety of factors, including lower participation in prevention activities and underutilization of screening and treatment options, Wiley, the journal’s publisher, said in a statement.

Also, due to greater exposure to cancer risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and occupational exposure to carcinogens, and due to biological differences.

To assess the burden of cancer in men of different ages and living in different regions of the world, researchers analyzed 2022 data from the World Cancer Observatory, which includes national estimates of cases and deaths in 185 countries/territories around the world – including Spain.

Projections for 2050 were obtained using demographic projections.

Among other data, in 2022, lower survival was observed among older men (65 years or older) for rare types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, and in countries with a low human development index, which measures health, education and standard of living.

That year, lung cancer was the most common cancer in terms of cases and deaths, although slight variations in the main cancer type were seen between age groups. For example, testicular tumor cases and leukemia deaths ranked highest among young adults.

Between 2022 and 2050, cancer cases in men are projected to increase from 10.3 million to 19 million, an increase of 84%.

Deaths are estimated to rise from 5.4 million to 10.5 million, a 93% more, with an increase of more than double among those over 65 years of age and in countries/territories with a low and medium human development index.

According to the study data, lung cancer is expected to remain the leading type of cancer in both cases and deaths by 2050.

The authors conclude: in 2022, “substantial disparities” in cancer cases and deaths among men and are projected to increase by 2050.

“The implementation and expansion of universal health coverage and the expansion of health infrastructure, as well as the creation of publicly funded medical schools and scholarships for staff training can improve cancer care and equity,” says Habtamu Mellie Bizuayehu, who believes that the focus should be on countries with a low and medium Human Development Index.

You may be interested

• Cancer will kill more than five million women a year by 2030
• Gut bacteria boost immunotherapy effects in mice
• Cigarette smoke causes 20% of lung cancer cases in passive smokers