Global Prostate Cancer Cases to Double by 2040, Lancet Study Predicts

Aging populations and limited access to early detection in low- and middle-income countries fuel the projected increase, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Prostate cancer cases worldwide are projected to double from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million by 2040, with deaths expected to rise by 85% to nearly 700,000 annually.
The surge in cases and deaths is primarily due to aging populations and increasing life expectancy, with low- and middle-income countries expected to bear the brunt.
Early detection and education programs are crucial for saving lives and preventing ill health from prostate cancer, especially in countries with limited access to screening and treatment.
The Lancet Commission on prostate cancer emphasizes the need for more research into early detection and calls for targeted screening in high-risk groups, including men of West African descent.
Despite the grim forecast, advances in treatments and the potential for early diagnosis offer hope for reducing the burden of prostate cancer worldwide.