News | Prostate and Testicular Cancer Incidence Rises Globally as Mortality Falls, Prompting Calls for More Targeted Strategies
A global study found that incidence and prevalence of prostate and testicular cancer continue to rise while mortality is declining. The trend highlights the need for precision strategies to reduce the global burden of cancers affecting men.
Published by Chinese researchers in Scientific Reports, the study analyzed global trends from 1990 to 2021 and projected patterns through 2040, providing information for prevention, treatment, and policy. As aging populations and changing lifestyles increase risk, understanding these trends is essential for more effective future care and policy.
Global burden of male-specific cancers
Prostate and testicular cancers are major men's health concerns. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, but mild or absent early symptoms mean many patients are diagnosed at a late stage, increasing the risk of complications such as bone metastases, paralysis, and kidney failure.
Testicular cancer is less common but mainly affects younger men, especially those aged 25 to 34. It can affect fertility and have major mental health effects. Anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem are important consequences after diagnosis.
Despite medical advances, regional disparities remain substantial and are closely related to socioeconomic factors. Compared with cancers affecting women, men's cancers receive less research attention; much available data focuses on prostate or testicular cancer alone and is sometimes outdated.
Study findings
Using 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data, the study analyzed trends from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries and 21 global regions, focusing on prostate and testicular cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
Researchers used the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) to classify burden across economic and social settings and applied statistical models to assess the effects of aging, population growth, and epidemiologic change.
Projections through 2040 suggest prostate cancer prevalence will increase by 2.3%, while testicular cancer prevalence will rise markedly in high-SDI regions.
Key findings
Incidence and prevalence continued to rise, while mortality and DALYs declined. In 2021, the global age-standardized prostate cancer incidence was 260.05/100,000 and mortality was 12.63/100,000; for testicular cancer, the figures were 16.59/100,000 and 0.29/100,000.
Prostate cancer burden was greatest among men over 70, while testicular cancer primarily affected those aged 25 to 34. Testicular cancer mortality showed a second peak after age 55, indicating a need for long-term follow-up and care in middle-aged men.
Mortality is lower in high-income regions such as North America and Western Europe, reflecting stronger healthcare systems. Low-income regions such as southern sub-Saharan Africa still have high mortality and DALYs, showing how unequal medical resources affect cancer control.
Outlook
By 2040, prostate cancer incidence is projected to rise to 266.23/100,000 while mortality may fall to 9.11/100,000. Testicular cancer burden is expected to remain stable, with little change in incidence or mortality. Treatment advances have reduced mortality and DALYs despite rising incidence and prevalence.
Smoking and high-calcium diets were identified as potential prostate cancer risk factors, while population aging remains the main driver of increasing prevalence. Future research should integrate molecular biology and clinical data for a more complete understanding.
Conclusion
The study highlights a growing cancer burden among men and calls for targeted prevention and care. Policymakers should focus on high-risk groups, particularly older men at risk of prostate cancer and younger men at risk of testicular cancer, while strengthening screening and addressing lifestyle risk factors.
News | Prostate and Testicular Cancer Incidence Rises Globally as Mortality Falls, Prompting Calls for More Targeted Strategies
News | Prostate and Testicular Cancer Incidence Rises Globally as Mortality Falls, Prompting Calls for More Targeted Strategies
A global study found that incidence and prevalence of prostate and testicular cancer continue to rise while mortality is declining. The trend highlights the need for precision strategies to reduce the global burden of cancers affecting men.
Published by Chinese researchers in Scientific Reports, the study analyzed global trends from 1990 to 2021 and projected patterns through 2040, providing information for prevention, treatment, and policy. As aging populations and changing lifestyles increase risk, understanding these trends is essential for more effective future care and policy.
Global burden of male-specific cancers
Prostate and testicular cancers are major men's health concerns. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, but mild or absent early symptoms mean many patients are diagnosed at a late stage, increasing the risk of complications such as bone metastases, paralysis, and kidney failure.
Testicular cancer is less common but mainly affects younger men, especially those aged 25 to 34. It can affect fertility and have major mental health effects. Anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem are important consequences after diagnosis.
Despite medical advances, regional disparities remain substantial and are closely related to socioeconomic factors. Compared with cancers affecting women, men's cancers receive less research attention; much available data focuses on prostate or testicular cancer alone and is sometimes outdated.
Study findings
Using 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data, the study analyzed trends from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries and 21 global regions, focusing on prostate and testicular cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
Researchers used the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) to classify burden across economic and social settings and applied statistical models to assess the effects of aging, population growth, and epidemiologic change.
Projections through 2040 suggest prostate cancer prevalence will increase by 2.3%, while testicular cancer prevalence will rise markedly in high-SDI regions.
Key findings
Incidence and prevalence continued to rise, while mortality and DALYs declined. In 2021, the global age-standardized prostate cancer incidence was 260.05/100,000 and mortality was 12.63/100,000; for testicular cancer, the figures were 16.59/100,000 and 0.29/100,000.
Prostate cancer burden was greatest among men over 70, while testicular cancer primarily affected those aged 25 to 34. Testicular cancer mortality showed a second peak after age 55, indicating a need for long-term follow-up and care in middle-aged men.
Mortality is lower in high-income regions such as North America and Western Europe, reflecting stronger healthcare systems. Low-income regions such as southern sub-Saharan Africa still have high mortality and DALYs, showing how unequal medical resources affect cancer control.
Outlook
By 2040, prostate cancer incidence is projected to rise to 266.23/100,000 while mortality may fall to 9.11/100,000. Testicular cancer burden is expected to remain stable, with little change in incidence or mortality. Treatment advances have reduced mortality and DALYs despite rising incidence and prevalence.
Smoking and high-calcium diets were identified as potential prostate cancer risk factors, while population aging remains the main driver of increasing prevalence. Future research should integrate molecular biology and clinical data for a more complete understanding.
Conclusion
The study highlights a growing cancer burden among men and calls for targeted prevention and care. Policymakers should focus on high-risk groups, particularly older men at risk of prostate cancer and younger men at risk of testicular cancer, while strengthening screening and addressing lifestyle risk factors.
Source:
Collected online