AI Summary
The article examines the global burden of cancer among men in 2022 and provides projections for 2050. Men have a higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors, leading to increased cancer incidence and lower survival rates. Disparities were observed by age group and country, with older men and countries with low Human Development Index exhibiting poorer survival rates. The study projects a significant increase in cancer cases and deaths by 2050, especially among older men, low and medium HDI countries, working-age groups, and very-high-HDI countries. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening health infrastructure, enhancing workforce quality and access, fostering collaborations, and promoting universal health coverage to reduce cancer disparities and ensure equity among men globally.
Abstract
Background
Men exhibit higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, leading to greater cancer incidence and lower survival rates. Comprehensive evidence on global cancer burden among men, including disparities by age group and country, is sparse. To address this, the authors analyzed 30 cancer types among men in 2022, with projections estimated for 2050.
Methods
The 2022 GLOBOCAN estimates were used to describe cancer statistics for men in 185 countries/territories worldwide. Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) were calculated by dividing age-standardized mortality rates by incidence rates.
Results
In 2022, a high MIR (indicating poor survival) was observed among older men (aged 65 years and older; 61%) for rare cancer types (pancreatic cancer, 91%) and in countries with low a Human Development Index (HDI; 74%). Between 2022 and 2050, cancer cases are projected to increase from 10.3 million to 19 million (≥84%). Deaths are projected to increase from 5.4 million to 10.5 million (≥93%), with a greater than two-fold increase among men aged 65 years and older (≥117%) and for low-HDI and medium-HDI countries/territories (≥160%). Cancer cases and deaths are projected to increase among working-age groups (≥39%) and very-high-HDI countries/territories (≥50%).
Conclusions
Substantial disparities in cancer cases and deaths were observed among men in 2022, and these are projected to widen by 2050. Strengthening health infrastructure, enhancing workforce quality and access, fostering national and international collaborations, and promoting universal health coverage are crucial to reducing cancer disparities and ensuring cancer equity among men globally.