A new study has been published that reveals some worrying trends in men diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.
New research published by the American Cancer Society, Cancer The journal analyzed more than 30 different types of cancer across 185 countries and territories using data from the Global Cancer Observatory. The scientists predicted an 84% increase in cancer cases by 2050 and a staggering 93% increase in cancer deaths among men worldwide by mid-century.
Scientists say cancer cases could increase by 84% from 10.3 million to 19 million between 2022 and 2050, while deaths are projected to increase by 93% from 5.4 million to 10.5 million. This number is even higher, with more than a 117% increase among men aged 65 and over and in countries and regions with low and medium human development indices.
Smoking and alcohol consumption remain important modifiable risk factors for preventing adverse health outcomes later in life. “Men exhibit higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, leading to more cancer cases and lower survival rates,” the scientists wrote in explaining why they wanted to find out how bad the odds might be for men.
The findings are in line with a World Health Organization study from earlier this year, which claimed that more than 35 million new cancer cases will occur among both men and women globally by 2050, a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million new cases in 2022. Besides smoking and alcohol consumption, the WHO also pointed to other reasons behind the change, such as air pollution, an aging and growing population, and exposure to risk factors such as obesity.
“National and international collaboration and a coordinated multisectoral approach are essential to improve current cancer outcomes and reverse the expected increase in cancer burden by 2050,” said Habtamu Melli Bizuayehu, lead author of the study, in a statement. “Implementing and expanding universal health coverage, expanding health infrastructure, and establishing publicly funded medical schools and scholarships for training medical and public health personnel can improve cancer care and equity. Emphasis should be placed on low- and medium-human development countries that have high unmet cancer service needs despite a significant cancer burden.”
If you're getting older, it may be time to quit smoking and drinking beer.