RESEARCHERS from Australia and around the globe have forecasted a dramatic escalation in prostate cancer incidences worldwide.
The numbers, revealed at the European Association of Urology Congress on Fri, are expected to soar from 1.4 million cases in 2020 to an estimated 2.9 million by 2040, according to findings from The Lancet Commission on prostate cancer.
This alarming increase was attributed primarily to ageing populations and an upswing in life expectancy.
A significant portion of this rise in cases and subsequent deaths was predicted to impact lower and middle-income countries (LMICs), which lag behind in screening advancements made by wealthier nations.
The researchers stressed the urgent need for LMICs to enhance their diagnostic and treatment capacities for prostate cancer.
Meanwhile, higher-income countries were advised to refine their screening processes, concentrating efforts on individuals at greater risk and minimising over diagnosis.
The study also highlights an expected 85% jump in global prostate cancer fatalities over two decades, climbing from 375,000 in 2020 to nearly 700,000 by 2040.
Under-reporting in LMICs, due to under-diagnosis and data collection gaps, suggested that the actual figures could be much higher.
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