Cancer Deaths Among Men Could Rise 90% by 2050, Study Finds

A new study is outlining some concerning trends for men who are diagnosed with cancer at some point during their life.

The new research, published in the American Cancer Society's Cancer journal, analyzed more than 30 different types of cancers across 185 countries and territories using data from the Global Cancer Observatory. The scientists projected an 84 percent increase in cancer cases by 2050 and a startling 93 percent increase in cancer deaths among men worldwide by mid-century.

Between 2022 and 2050, the scientists say cancer cases could increase from 10.3 million to 19 million for an 84 percent jump, while deaths are projected to increase 93 percent from 5.4 million to 10.5 million. That number jumps even higher with a more than 117 percent increase among men aged 65 and older and for countries and territories with low and medium human development indices.

Smoking and alcohol consumption remain major modifiable risk factors to prevent negative health outcomes later in life. "Men exhibit higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption , leading to greater cancer incidence and lower survival rates," the scientists wrote when explaining why they wanted to find out just how bad the rates for men might become.

The findings are in line with a World Health Organization study from earlier this year that claimed more than 35 million new cancer cases will emerge among both men and women globally by 2050—a 77 percent increase from the estimated 20 million new cases in 2022. On top of smoking and alcohol consumption, the WHO also pointed out other reasons behind the shift including exposure to risk factors like air pollution , an aging and growing population, and obesity.

"A national and international collaboration, as well as a coordinated multisectoral approach, are essential to improve current cancer outcomes and to reverse the anticipated rise in cancer burden by 2050," study lead author Habtamu Melli Bizuayehu said in a statement . "Implementing and expanding universal health coverage and expanding health infrastructure and establishing publicly funded medical schools and scholarships for training medical and public health staff can improve cancer care and equity. Emphasis should be placed on low and medium human development index countries with high unmet cancer service needs despite a significant cancer burden."

If you're getting older, it might be time to put down those cigarettes and beer .