Prostate cancer incidence rates are expected to see a significant increase in the coming years globally, particularly in less affluent countries, according to a scientific study recently published. This trend has been explained by the anticipated aging of the population. The authors of the study, published Thursday in "The Lancet," concluded from their extrapolation of current demographic changes that "the annual number of new cases, which reached 1.4 million in 2020, will double by 2040, reaching 2.9 million."
Researchers noted that "increased life expectancy and changes in age pyramids" are contributing factors to this rise, as reported by Agence France-Presse. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, accounting for 15% of all male cancer cases, with most incidents occurring after the age of fifty. The frequency of cases gradually increases in age groups that surpass this threshold.
As many poor or developing countries are in the process of partially closing the gap in life expectancy compared to their advanced counterparts, the number of prostate cancer cases is expected to automatically increase.
The researchers added that "unlike other major issues, such as lung cancer or cardiovascular diseases, it will not be possible through public health policies to prevent this increase in cases," according to Agence France-Presse. Indeed, prevention measures cannot be as effective in reducing risk factors for prostate cancer, such as genetics and height, compared to actions like smoking cessation for lung cancer.
It has been shown that there is only a correlation between prostate cancer and obesity, but it is unclear if the relationship is causal. Nonetheless, the authors of the study believe it is possible to limit the increase in prostate cancer cases through several measures. They called, for instance, for efforts towards early diagnosis in less affluent countries, noting that prostate cancers are often diagnosed there at a stage too late for effective treatment.
On the other hand, they warned of the risk of "overdiagnosis and overtreatment" in developed countries.
