Investigators have uncovered disparities in the projected rates of future cancer incidence and mortality among men based on age and country’s socioeconomic status, according to a recent study published by Bizuayehu et al in Cancer.
Background
Prior research has shown that men may face higher rates of cancer and cancer-related mortality compared with women, likely because of various factors such as lower participation in cancer prevention activities; underuse of screening and treatment options; increased exposure to cancer risk factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and occupational exposure to carcinogens; and biological differences. Cancer disparities among men are currently projected to widen by 2050.
Study Methods and Results
Researchers used 2022 data from the Global Cancer Observatory—encompassing national-level estimates for cancer cases and deaths for 185 countries and territories—to assess the burden of 30 cancer types among men of varying ages who resided in different regions of the world. The projected cancer cases and deaths in 2050 were derived through demographic projections in which the investigators multiplied the 2022 age-specific rates with their corresponding population projections for 2050.
In 2022, poorer survival was observed among older men and for rare cancer types such as pancreatic cancer. Additionally, countries with a low human development index—which measures health, education, and standard of living—also experienced worse survival rates.
Between 2022 and 2050, investigators predict that cancer cases may rise 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 older than 65 years and those residing in countries and territories with a low and medium human development index.
Conclusions
The findings revealed an urgent need to address these trends in cancer incidence and mortality and to ensure equity in cancer prevention and care among men across the world.
“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 [the] cancer burden by 2050. Implementing and expanding universal health coverage, expanding health infrastructure, and establishing publicly funded medical schools and scholarships for training medical and public health staff can improve cancer care and equity,” underscored lead study 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,” he suggested.
The investigators concluded that improving access to and use of cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment options—especially among older men—could improve cancer outcomes and equity.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com.
