In a study published in the journal Cancer, researchers from Australia analyzed cases and deaths from 30 types of cancer in 185 countries and territories in 2022 to make projections for 2050.

The study predicts that total cancer cases in men will increase from 10.3 million in 2022 to 19 million in 2050 (an increase of 84%). Cancer deaths are expected to increase from 5.4 million in 2022 to 10.5 million in 2050 (an increase of 93%). Deaths in men aged 65 and older are expected to increase by 117%.

Countries with lower incomes and lower life expectancies are also expected to see a greater increase in cancer deaths among men. “In Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, the number of cases and deaths is expected to increase 2.5-fold between 2022 and 2050. In contrast, Europe is expected to increase by about half,” the researchers wrote.

Men are more likely to die from cancer than women due to behaviors such as smoking and drinking alcohol – which expose them to carcinogens. They are also less likely to have access to screening programs.

As in 2022, lung cancer is projected to be the leading cause of cancer and cancer deaths in men by 2050. The cancers with the highest increases in men by 2050 are expected to be mesothelioma (in terms of cases) and prostate cancer (in terms of deaths).

Researchers say there is a need to improve access and health care infrastructure to improve current cancer treatment outcomes and prepare for the expected increase by 2050.

Expanding universal health coverage worldwide could strengthen “basic cancer care options,” they write, noting that low-income countries are disproportionately affected by poor cancer outcomes and low universal health coverage.

Earlier this year, a report by the American Cancer Society found that population growth and aging are major drivers of the world's cancer burden, with the global population expected to reach 8 billion in 2022 and 9.7 billion by 2050.

When it comes to the number of cancer cases worldwide, "we think that number will increase to 35 million by 2050, largely due to the growing aging population," Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society, previously said.

If more people use tobacco and more people are obese, along with other cancer risk factors, the projected number of cancer cases could be even higher, especially in low-income countries, the association said.

Ngoc Anh (according to CNN)