According to a Lancet analysis published on Friday, the number of new prostate cancer cases worldwide will more than double over the next two decades as poorer countries catch up with the ageing of richer nations.
Our findings suggest that the number of new cases annually will rise from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million by 2040, stated the medical journal, citing a study of demographic shifts.
The increase in instances is due to increased life expectancy and shifts in the global age pyramid, according to the study’s authors.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among males, accounting for approximately 15% of cases, typically appearing after the age of 50 and increasing in frequency as men age.
Experts emphasize that as life expectancy rises in developing countries, so does the incidence of prostate cancer.
They noted that public health initiatives may not influence the change in the same way they did with lung cancer or heart disease, as hereditary variables are less treatable.
Weight has been linked to prostate cancer, but researchers are unsure if it is the actual cause, and health officials in developing nations are encouraged to urge earlier screening, as the disease is often detected too late for effective treatment.
