The risk of cancer is increasing rapidly globally. Prostate and lung cancers are most commonly reported in men, while breast and cervical cancers are most at risk in women. Apart from this, lakhs of people are dying every year due to many types of cancer. Studies are saying that the way people's lifestyle is getting worse with time, the food mixed with all kinds of harmful chemicals that we all are consuming every day has increased the risk of cancer even more. In a recent study related to this, researchers have issued a big warning.
The conclusions drawn by The Lancet Commission from various studies show that prostate cancer is going to emerge as a major threat in the coming years. Researchers have warned that the trends being seen suggest that the world is facing a 'tsunami of prostate cancer', raising fears of an inevitable global increase in cases of this cancer.
This will not only increase the pressure on the health sector globally but concerns have also been raised about the increase in mortality due to cancer.
Cases may increase twice by 2040
In the study report, scientists said that by the year 2040, prostate cancer cases worldwide may double to more than 2.9 million (29 lakh). Apart from this, there is a possibility of an 85% increase in the number of deaths which may lead to more than seven lakh deaths.
At a meeting of urologists in Paris, the Commission said that high-income countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have already seen an increase in cases of this cancer, although prostate cancer is now also increasing in low- and middle-income countries. The danger is likely to increase.
There may be danger even at the age of 50
Nick James, lead author of The Lancet report and professor of prostate and bladder cancer research at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, said the increase was emerging as a major health crisis. There are several other risk factors for men getting prostate cancer as they age. Now even at a young age, problems related to the prostate are being seen, which are generally not given much attention in the beginning, which can later take a serious form and lead to the risk of developing cancer.
There has been a large increase in cancer cases in high-income countries. But now we can see its cases increasing even in people of 50-60-70 years in the coming decades in economically weaker countries.
Questions were also raised regarding PSA screening
The team of scientists also raised concerns about the misuse of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. "We found that the blanket policy of letting patients make their own decisions about PSA is not right," says Dr. Andrew Vickers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. PSA screening needs to be reconsidered.
There has already been a lot of controversy regarding this test. Doctors continue to believe that PSA tests are not infallible. It's possible that your PSA level may be elevated when cancer is not present, and it may not appear at that level when cancer is present.
Experts said – everyone should take preventive measures
The researchers said the risk of being seen for prostate cancer is very worrying. All men need to take special precautions regarding this. There is no specific way to prevent prostate cancer, but you can reduce your risk by making choices like exercise and a healthy diet.
In some studies, regular consumption of high-fat foods, especially animal-based fats, is a major risk factor for prostate cancer. It is advisable to reduce the amount of fatty foods in the diet. Regular exercise has also been found to reduce the risks of prostate cancer.
(PC: ISTOCK)
