A study has revealed that the number of new prostate cancer cases across the globe will more than double over the next two decades as poorer countries catch up with the aging of richer countries. Researchers behind the Lancet study published on Friday said the rise in cases is linked to the increased life expectancy and changes in the age pyramid around the world. “Our findings suggest that the number of new cases annually will rise from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million by 2040,” said the medical journal, based on a study of demographic changes. As life expectancy improves in developing countries, the number of prostate cancer cases also increases, the researchers said.
They stressed that public health policies could not affect the change as they could with lung cancer or heart diseases.
Hereditary factors are much less manageable than, for example, smoking is the cause of lung cancer. A link with weight has been established but it is not yet known if this is a direct cause of prostate cancer.
The researchers also noted that health authorities had to encourage earlier screening in developing countries as the disease is often diagnosed too late to give an effective treatment.
Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. The prostate is a gland found only in males. It makes some of the fluid that is part of semen. Early prostate cancer causes no symptoms. Abnormal growth of prostate tissue is usually detected through screening tests, typically blood tests that check for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Those with high levels of PSA in their blood are at increased risk for developing prostate cancer. Diagnosis requires a biopsy of the prostate.
