Ryan Motte, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist at Shields Health Solutions, discusses recent data concerning the global cancer burden among men and projections for the year 2050.
Men are disproportionately affected by modifiable risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, leading to higher cancer incidence and lower survival rates compared to women. Despite this, comprehensive data on global cancer burden among men remains sparse, particularly in terms of disparities by age and country. To address this gap, researchers analyzed 30 types of cancer among men in 2022 and made projections for 2050.
The study utilized 2022 GLOBOCAN estimates to assess cancer statistics for men across 185 countries and territories. Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) were calculated to understand survival rates by dividing age-standardized mortality rates by incidence rates.
The results were recently released in the Journal of the American Cancer Society. In 2022, poor cancer survival, as indicated by high MIRs, was predominantly seen in older men (aged 65 and above) at 61%. High MIRs were additionally seen in rare cancers (91%) and in countries with a low Human Development Index (HDI) (74%).
Looking forward to 2050, cancer cases among men are projected to rise by 84%. Cancer deaths are also expected to rise significantly, from 5.4 million to 10.5 million, a 93% increase. Notably, men aged 65 and older will experience a more than two-fold increase in both cases and deaths (117% rise). Low- and medium-HDI countries will see a staggering increase in cancer burden, with cases and deaths expected to rise by 160%. Meanwhile, working-age men and those in very-high-HDI countries will also face increased cancer risks, with projected rises of 39% and 50%, respectively.
These statistics show an overwhelming need to focus on cancer treatments and their related disparities. To reduce the global cancer burden on men and ensure cancer equity, it is critical to strengthen health infrastructure, enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare, foster national and international collaborations, and promote universal health coverage.
To learn more about rare cancers, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/cancers/
