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According to a new study, cases of prostate cancer will increase significantly worldwide in the years to come, particularly in less wealthy countries.
According to models published in the medical journal The Lancet, the number of cases of prostate cancer will increase significantly in the coming years. A phenomenon which could be explained by the overall aging of populations.
An increase in life expectancy in question
Prostate cancer ranks first among male cancers, well ahead of lung and colon-rectal cancers. It is a malignant tumor that develops from cells in the prostate, a gland of the male reproductive system.
Although it is most often a cancer with a good prognosis (even if it causes 8,000 deaths each year), it will become more commonplace in the coming years, the study estimates.
“According to our findings, the annual number of new cases will double from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million in 2040“, summarize the authors of this study published Thursday, carried out by extrapolating demographic changes already observed at present. This progression could be explained by “the increase in life expectancy and by changes in the age pyramids“, add the authors.
Indeed, several developing countries are gradually catching up in terms of life expectancy – which inevitably contributes to the increase in cases.
A cancer which occurs, moreover, “in approximately 66% of cases in men aged 65 and over”, relates the National Cancer Institute.
Prevention difficult to put in place
Faced with the increasing curve of cases, scientists are not very optimistic.
“Unlike other major problems, such as lung cancer or cardiovascular diseases, we will not be able to avoid this increase in cases through public health policies.note the researchers.
And for good reason: the risk factors associated with prostate cancer, such as heredity and tall height, are more difficult to avoid than those linked to lung cancer for example, for which prevention is essentially based on the absence of smoking.
Only a correlation with excess weight has been identified, but researchers remain divided as to the existence of a causal link.
Beware of late diagnosis in poor countries and overdiagnosis in rich countries
According to the authors of the study, certain measures can be considered to slow the growth of prostate cancer and especially its impact in terms of mortality. They recommend focusing on earlier diagnosis, particularly in less wealthy countries.
On the other hand, they warn of the risk of “overdiagnosis and overtreatment” in developed countries.
Remember that today, the benefit of prostate cancer screening has not been demonstrated: two large international studies have failed to demonstrate that this screening helps prevent deaths linked to prostate cancer. Therefore, no health authority recommends systematic screening for prostate cancer using PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing in men without symptoms.
However, some men may wish to be screened for prostate cancer. It is then a personal choice that requires reflection.
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