Almost every second cancer death is preventable – 5 important causes are within your control

According to a major report published in the journal " The Lancet ," the number of new cancer cases worldwide will increase sharply by the middle of the century. It is expected to rise from 18.5 million cases in 2023 to 30.5 million in 2050.

However, this is mainly due to the aging of societies , as older people are more susceptible to cancer. Based on a standardized age structure, the relative incidence will decrease by 5.7 percent between 2024 and 2050.

Almost 42 percent, or almost every second, of the 10.4 million cancer deaths in 2023 are due to factors that can potentially be changed, reports the international research group led by scientist Lisa Force from the University of Washington in Seattle.

The researchers used the framework of the Global Burden of Disease project to produce estimates for the period 1990 to 2023. They also developed a forecast for further developments from 2024 to 2050.

1. lung cancer,
2. colon cancer,
3. breast cancer,
4. Pancreatic cancer
5. and prostate cancer.

According to the study, the age-standardized number of new cancer cases per year increased by 3.3 percent from 1990 to 2023, from an incidence of 317.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 328 cases. However, the mortality rate decreased by 24.9 percent during this period. This decline reflects improved screening and treatment options in Germany .

The development has been very different worldwide so far: Between 1990 and 2023, the age-standardised number of new cancer cases fell in countries with

• high income by 3.4 percent,
• middle income by 8.8 percent

and increased in countries with

• lower middle income by 28.6 percent
• and low-income earners by 23.6 percent.

"Cancer continues to contribute significantly to the global burden of disease, and our study shows that it is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades, with disproportionate growth in resource-limited countries," Force said.

Four out of ten cancer deaths are attributable to established risk factors, added co-author Theo Vos, professor emeritus at the University of Washington. "Therefore, countries have enormous opportunities to target these risk factors, prevent cancer, and save lives," he says.

For men and women, the following five risk factors were responsible for most cancer cases:

1. Smoke
2. unhealthy diet
3. high alcohol consumption
4. Occupational risks
5. Air pollution

Women:

1. Smoke
2. unprotected sex
3. unhealthy diet
4. Obesity
5. high blood sugar

All of these risk factors are preventable. Unprotected sex poses the greatest risk, especially in low-income countries, primarily because it can transmit human papillomaviruses (HPV), which cause cervical cancer.

In Germany, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends the HPV vaccination for girls and boys aged 9 to 14. According to a recent study published in the journal "Eurosurveillance," the HPV vaccination is highly effective.

In a commentary, also in "The Lancet," Qingwei Luo and David Smith of the University of Sydney cite the study's comprehensive global approach and systematic analysis as its greatest strengths. They cite the lack of data quality and availability in many countries as a weakness.

1. Avoid being overweight
2. exercise every day
3. do not smoke
4. drink as little alcohol as possible
5. avoid carcinogenic substances
6. protect against UV radiation
7. Vaccinate against cancer (hepatitis B; HPV)
8. Use offers for early cancer detection