Atlanta (Georgia, US): The study by the American Cancer Society predicts that by 2050, cancer deaths among men will rise by 93% globally. During the same period, cancer diagnoses are expected to increase by 84%.
Currently, cancer is the second leading cause of premature death worldwide, just after cardiovascular diseases. However, it is projected to become the leading cause of death by the end of this century. The economic burden of cancer is substantial, with global costs estimated at $25.3 billion in 2017, and a projected cumulative cost of $25.2 trillion from 2020 to 2050.
The study also highlights differences in cancer outcomes between men and women. Men are less likely to participate in cancer prevention activities, screenings, and treatments. They are more exposed to risk factors like smoking and alcohol consumption and have a higher incidence of cancers linked to occupational hazards.
For example, in 2020, 32.6% of men smoked compared to 6.5% of women. Moreover, there are fewer early detection programs for male-specific cancers like prostate and testicular cancer compared to female-specific cancers. This lack of screening contributes to higher mortality rates in men.
Older men, especially those over 65, face lower survival rates as their cancer diagnoses often come too late. As a result, cancer-related deaths in this group are expected to rise from 3.4 million to 7.7 million by 2050. The number of cancer cases is projected to increase from 6 million in 2022 to 13.1 million by 2050.
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