Global burden and risk factors of male cancers from 1990 to 2021, with forecasts to 2040
Youao Zhang, Pinhao Wang, Zixuan Jia,et al. Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 11;15(1):5123
Male cancers,
which refers to cancers that occur exclusively in males, is a prevalent type of
cancer worldwide, primarily including prostate cancer (PCa) and testicular
cancer (TCa). These cancers are significant contributors to the global disease
burden. We analyzed Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 on male cancers data
for 21 regions and 204 countries to understand better the health burden using
prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
In 2021, the age-standardized rates (ASR) per 100,000 people for PCa in terms
of prevalence, incidence, deaths, and DALYs were 260.05, 34.05, 12.63, and
217.83, respectively, while for TCa were 16.59, 2.24, 0.29, and 13.83,
respectively. Compared to 1990, the ratios for PCa changed by 0.19, 0.04,
-0.23, and - 0.21, respectively, and for TCa they changed by 0.66, 0.5, -0.14,
and - 0.08, respectively. Age analysis revealed a heavier burden of PCa after
the age of 70 and a heavier burden of TCa in the 25-34 age group. In regions
with High SDI, the ASR for prevalence and incidence were higher, while in
regions with Low SDI, the ASR for deaths and DALYs were higher. Smoking and
high calcium diets are risk factors for PCa. For the forecast in 2040, the ASR
indicators for PCa in terms of prevalence, incidence, deaths, and DALYs per
100,000 people are projected to be 266.23, 35.21, 9.11, and 176.16,
respectively; for TCa cancer they are projected to be 20.63, 2.7, 0.26, and
12.73, respectively. From 1990 to 2021 and with projections to 2040, the prevalence
and incidence of global male cancers generally show an upward trend, while
deaths and DALYs exhibit a downward trend. Additionally, the higher burden of
PCa in individuals over the age of 70 and TCa in the middle-aged group of 25 to
34 years highlights the urgent need for healthcare professionals and
policymakers to propose innovative prevention and healthcare strategies based
on the existing burden and its new changes, to alleviate the global burden of
male cancers.
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