Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Global cancer deaths among men projected to increase by 93% by 2050, study finds

A new study projects cancer cases and deaths among men will rise globally by 2050, especially among those 65 and older. (Abdullah Durmaz/E+/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) A new study projects cancer cases and deaths among men will rise globally by 2050, especially among those 65 and older. (Abdullah Durmaz/E+/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
Share

Cancer cases and deaths among men are expected to surge by 2050, according to a study published Monday, with large increases among men age 65 and older.

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

The study projects overall cancer cases among men will increase from 10.3 million in 2022 to 19 million in 2050, an increase of 84 per cent. Cancer deaths were projected to rise from 5.4 million in 2022 to 10.5 million in 2050, an increase of 93 per cent. Deaths among men age 65 and older were projected to increase by 117 per cent.

Countries with a lower-income and life expectancy are also projected to see larger increases in cancer deaths in men. “Between 2022 and 2050, in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, the number of incident cases and deaths is projected to increase 2.5-fold. In contrast, Europe is projected to experience an increase of about one half,†the researchers wrote.

Men are already more likely than women to die from cancer. Men are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol, behaviours that drive many cancer cases, and are more likely to be exposed to carcinogens in the workplace. They’re also less likely to access screening programs.

Just as in 2022, lung cancer is projected to be the leading cause of cancer and cancer deaths in men in 2050. The cancers with the highest projected increases in men by 2050 were mesothelioma for cases and prostate cancer for deaths.

The researchers say that stronger health access and infrastructure — including an adequate workforce — are needed to improve current cancer outcomes and to prepare for the increases expected by 2050. Expanding universal health coverage worldwide could strengthen “basic cancer care options,†they wrote, noting that low-income countries are disproportionately affected by poor cancer outcomes and have low universal health coverage.

Earlier this year, a report by the American Cancer Society found population growth and aging are key drivers of the size of the world’s cancer burden, with the global population of about eight billion people in 2022 projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.

When it comes to the number of cancer cases around the world, “we think that number will go up to 35 million by 2050, largely due to an increasing population in the aging population,†Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society told CNN previously. And if more people also use tobacco and more have obesity, along with other risk factors for cancer, ACS said the projected number of cancer cases could get even higher — especially in low-income countries.

CNN’s Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by Â鶹´«Ã½ Toronto show.

NEW

NEW

A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

DEVELOPING

DEVELOPING

At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.

Local Spotlight

Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.