Australia tops the tables of cancer rates in men, according to a study which found that the number of men’s cancer cases is expected to increase globally over the next 25 years. The study, which looked at 30 cancer types in men, found that Australia had the highest prevalence and highest incident rate of cancer with 514.3 cases per 100,000 men, although we fare much better when it comes to deaths from cancer. The study found that between 2022 and 2050, cancer cases globally are projected to increase from 10.3 million to 19 million, an 84% increase. Deaths are projected to increase from 5.4 million to 10.5 million, a 93% increase, but an even greater increase is projected among men aged over 65 (more than 117%) and for countries with low and medium human development index (more than 160%). These disparities in cancer incidence and mortality are projected to widen further by 2050.
Journal/conference: Cancer
Link to research (DOI): 10.1002/cncr.35458
Organisation/s: The University of Queensland, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Sturt University, Deakin University, The University of Newcastle, Macquarie University, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney, The Australian
National University, University of Sydney, Flinders University, Cancer Council Victoria, Monash University
Funder: Open access publishing facilitated by The University of Queensland,
as part of the Wiley ‐ The University of Queensland agreement via
the Council of Australian University Librarians.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Media release
From: Wiley
Global study predicts increases in cancer cases and deaths among men, with widening disparities based on age and countries’ economic status Results indicate the need for efforts to improve cancer outcomes equitably.In an analysis of 30 cancer types among men, investigators uncovered substantial disparities in cancer cases and deaths by age and countries’ economic status—disparities that are projected to widen by 2050. The study is published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.Men face higher rates of cancer and cancer-related deaths than women, likely due to various factors including lower participation in cancer prevention activities; underuse of screening and treatment options; increased exposure to cancer risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and occupational exposure to carcinogens; and biological differences.To assess the burden of cancer in men of different ages and living in different regions of the world, investigators analyzed 2022 information from the Global Cancer Observatory, which encompasses national-level estimates for cancer cases and deaths for 185 countries/territories worldwide. The projected cancer cases and deaths in 2050 were derived through demographic projections: the researchers multiplied the 2022 age-specific rates with their corresponding population projections for 2050.In 2022, poorer survival was observed among older men; for rare cancer types such as pancreatic cancer; and in countries with low human development index, which measures health, education, and standard of living.Between 2022 and 2050, cancer cases are projected to increase from 10.3 million to 19 million, an 84% increase. Deaths are projected to increase from 5.4 million to 10.5 million, a 93% increase, with a greater than two-fold increase among men aged 65+ years and for countries/territories with low and medium human development index.The research reveals an urgent need to address these trends and ensure equity in cancer prevention and care among men globally.“A national and international collaboration, as well as a coordinated multisectoral approach, are essential to improve current cancer outcomes and to reverse the anticipated rise in cancer burden by 2050. Implementing and expanding universal health coverage and expanding health infrastructure and establishing publicly funded medical schools and scholarships for training medical and public health staff can improve cancer care and equity,” said lead author Habtamu Mellie Bizuayehu, PhD, of the University of Queensland, in Australia. “Emphasis should be placed on low and medium human development index countries with high unmet cancer service needs despite a significant cancer burden.”Dr. Bizuayehu added that improving access to and use of cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment options, especially for older men, could also improve cancer outcomes and equity.Additional informationNOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. A free abstract of this article will be available via the CANCER Newsroom upon online publication. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.comFull Citation:“Burden of 30 cancers among men: Global statistics in 2022 and projections for 2050 using population-based estimates.” Habtamu Mellie Bizuayehu, Abel F. Dadi, Kedir Y. Ahmed, Teketo Kassaw Tegegne, Tahir Ahmed Hassen, Getiye Dejenu Kibret, Daniel Bekele Ketema, Meless G. Bore, Subash Thapa, Daniel Bogale Odo, Zemenu Y. Kassa, Desalegn Markos Shifti, Erkihun Amsalu, Peter Sarich, Rebecca L. Venchiarutti, Yohannes Adama Melaku, Kelemu Tilahun Kibret, Aklilu Habte, Yonatan M. Mefsin, Abdulbasit Seid, and Sewunet Admasu Belachew. CANCER; Published Online: August 12, 2024 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35458)URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/cncr.35458