According to new research, men will be more likely to die from cancer by 2050.
A study titled “The Burden of 30 Cancers in Men” was conducted in 2022 by the American Cancer Society and focused on 30 types of cancer in men. It analyzed men from 185 countries using population estimates and approximations of human development in all areas (based on income and life expectancy).
The study concluded that by 2050, the number of cancer cases among men is expected to increase from 10.3 million to 19 million (an 84 percent increase), with the number of deaths increasing from 5.4 million to 10.5 million ( an increase of 93 percent).
The largest increase in death rates was found in men aged 65 and older, along with those living in areas with lower rates of human development.
The study estimated that countries with lower incomes and lower life expectancies were more likely to see an increase in male cancer deaths.
Stock image of a test tube. Getty Cancer cases in adults under the age of 50 have increased dramatically worldwide
However, the risk factors go beyond that. Men exhibit more risk factors and behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, along with “less male participation in cancer prevention activities,” according to the study. In 2020, an estimated 32.6 percent of men were smokers, while only 6.5 percent of women smoked.
Men are also more likely to be exposed to cancer-causing chemicals at work.
In addition, there are more female-specific cancer screening programs that prevent death than male-specific cancer screening programs.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Of the cancers studied, lung cancer is estimated to be the largest cause of cancer death among men by 2050.
It is estimated that by 2050, mesothelioma will be the leading number of cancer diagnoses, and prostate cancer is predicted to become the leading cause of cancer-related death.
The study stated that to improve these statistics, there should be a greater push for universal health care, encouraging cooperation in the world of health at the national and international levels, and raising the current health care infrastructure.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education