Latest news with #lungCancer
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
America becomes cancer capital of the WORLD with more cases than all but one country
America has surpassed all but one country in new cancer diagnoses, making it a cancer capital of the world. The US saw 2.4million new cases of cancer in 2022, surpassing all but China, which saw nearly 4.8million. However, the US saw a higher rate than the Asian country - 1,307 cases per 100,000 people, compared to China's 490 per 100,000. Overall, the US has the fifth-highest cancer rate in the world, and cases are climbing. America made up about 13 percent of the 19 million cases recorded worldwide in 2022, more than the combined share from all of Africa (six percent), Latin America and the Caribbean (seven percent), and Oceania (less than two percent). And global diagnoses are only expected to increase, reaching 35million a year by 2050. Lung cancer was the most commonly diagnosed among both men and women, responsible for almost 2.5 million new cases, or one in eight cancers worldwide. In the US, an estimated 236,740 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, and 130,000 people died. Breast cancer in women made up 12 percent of cases worldwide, colorectal accounted for 10 percent, prostate at seven percent, and stomach at five percent. Cancer is now the leading cause of death in Americans under 85, according to the American Cancer Society's 2024 report. While it remains the second-leading cause of death overall in the US, it has surpassed heart disease as the top killer in younger age groups. The anticipated spike in new cancer diagnoses is mainly due to population growth and aging, but experts are increasingly blaming environmental toxins and ultra-processed foods. And though cancer rates among people under 50 are on the rise, particularly colorectal cancer, the disease still primarily afflicts seniors. 'This rise in projected cancer cases by 2050 is solely due to the aging and growth of the population, assuming current incidence rates remain unchanged,' Dr Hyuna Sung, senior principal scientist at the American Cancer Society, said. 'Notably, the prevalence of major risk factors such as consumption of unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, heavy alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking are increasing in many parts of the world and will likely exacerbate the future burden of cancer barring any large scale interventions.' Experts warn that the projected rise in cancer cases by 2050 stems from more than just aging populations. Population growth explains part of the increase, but preventable risk factors —poor diet, lack of access to screenings, and chemical exposures — are also driving the disproportionate spikes. While the US diagnoses about one in six global cancer cases, it accounts for just seven percent of deaths worldwide, thanks to advanced treatments and fast drug approvals. The American Cancer Society reported that almost half of all cases and about 56 percent of cancer deaths in 2022 occurred in Asia, where over 59 percent of the world's population lives. Cancer death rates in Africa and Asia are much higher than cases, partly because cancers there are often found late and are harder to treat. Europe has more cancer cases and deaths than expected for its population, making up about 20 percent of global cases and deaths, though it has less than 10 percent of the world's people. Prostate cancer in men is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in 118 countries, followed by lung cancer among both sexes in 33 countries, and liver, colorectal, and stomach cancer ranking in first place in 11, nine, and eight countries, respectively. By 2050, lung cancer cases will climb from about 2.5 million in 2022 to roughly four million. Deaths will also climb from approximately 1.8 million to about three million. Global breast cancer cases are projected to surge from 2.3 million to 3.5 million by 2050, with deaths rising from 666,000 to 1 million. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women (excluding skin cancer), diagnosed in 157 countries, while cervical cancer leads in 25 others. The US saw 288,000 new cases in 2022, with over 319,000 projected for 2025. Just 10 cancer types cause over 60 percent of all cases and deaths globally. Leading the pack is lung cancer (12.4 percent of cases), followed by breast (11.6 percent), colorectal (9.6 percent), prostate (7.3 percent), and stomach cancers (4.9 percent). Colorectal cancer cases will skyrocket from 1.9 million to 3 million globally by 2050, fueled by processed diets and rising early-onset cases. In 2023, 19,550 Americans under 50 were diagnosed with CRC. Deaths will climb from 904,000 to 1.4 million, especially in regions with poor screening. In North America, pancreatic cancer cases and deaths will both increase sharply, with minimal survival improvements expected. Obesity and diabetes are key drivers. Prostate cancer is set to explode—from 1.5 million cases today to a staggering 2.5 million by 2050—as the world's population ages. Deaths will leap from 397,000 to 600,000, hitting sub-Saharan Africa hardest, where life-saving treatments remain out of reach for millions. Liver cancer cases will rise from 865,000 to 1.2 million. Deaths will remain high, nearing one million, due to late detection in poorer parts of the world. It's on track to become more common, fueled by America's growing struggles with obesity, diabetes, and heavy drinking—even as hepatitis-linked cases fade. Deaths will climb in lockstep, as most patients are diagnosed too late for effective treatment. Cervical cancer cases could plummet from 660,000 to 500,000 with wider HPV vaccination, yet deaths may persist in Africa without better screening. Meanwhile, North America could nearly eliminate it, thanks to vaccines and early detection. Stomach cancer cases will decline slightly due to H. pylori control, but deaths will persist in regions with limited healthcare. Pancreatic cancer cases will spike from 511,000 to 800,000, with deaths mirroring this rise due to poor survival rates. Esophageal cancer cases will grow from 511,000 to 700,000, driven by obesity-related adenocarcinoma in wealthy nations. While cases in the US are rising, deaths due to cancer are on the decline thanks to advances in treatments. Scientists can now engineer immune cells in the lab that target and kill cancer cells, while CRISPR-based gene therapies have progressed from the lab to clinical trials for people with cancer. Dr Karen E Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, said: 'Understanding the global cancer burden is critical to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. 'This data provides insight into trends and potential areas for intervention and can help prioritize discovery efforts worldwide.
South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Anti-smoking stand of tobacco tycoon lives on in Hong Kong
It is not that unusual for well-known people to become public anti-smoking converts after being diagnosed with diseases related to tobacco use. An example was tycoon Charles Ho Tsu-kwok, who died this week aged 75, months after revealing he had lung cancer. Ho was involved in national and local affairs as a standing committee member of China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and as a former owner of Sing Tao News Corporation. But what really set him apart as the anti-smoker he became was that he inherited a tobacco empire from his grandfather, Ho Ying-chie, founder of the Hong Kong Tobacco Company. Indeed, Ho was until late in life a staunch advocate of smokers' rights in the face of incontrovertible evidence of the deadly health risks. He once said 'one has freedom in deciding whether to smoke' and that death was a 'personal matter'. The public switch to anti-smoker and the admission he had changed his mind was not out of character for someone with strong views. Former chief executive and CPPCC vice-chairman Leung Chun-ying can attest to that. Known for his outspoken comments on politics, Ho attacked Leung during the chief executive race in 2012, questioning his ability to govern, which prompted Leung to accuse Sing Tao News Corp of running a smear campaign. But Leung said the pair got along afterwards, with the tycoon being a frequent guest at Government House and a source of interesting insights. The public reconciliation of Ho with anti-smoking health minister Lo Chung-mau, whom he once described as 'like a drone, monitoring the whereabouts of smokers', was more personal. It came after his cancer diagnosis. The pair appeared on television urging viewers to quit smoking. Ho said the strain of chemotherapy and radiotherapy had caused him to change his mind, and he thanked Lo for his campaigns on the issue. Lo said Ho had bravely shared his experience with the public, raising awareness of the dangers of smoking. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu paid tribute to the contributions of Ho to the media, national affairs and the city's development. But it is the anti-smoking message of a tobacco tycoon that may make the biggest difference.
Medscape
04-06-2025
- General
- Medscape
Poor Air Quality Linked to Higher Risk for Mortality in COPD
Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were vulnerable to even small increases in fine particulate matter < 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), with significantly higher risk among those with comorbidities such as lung cancer, coronary arterial disease, or chronic kidney disease. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort analysis to assess the association between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and all-cause mortality in veterans with COPD. They included 1,124,973 veterans (mean age, 68 years; 95.60% men) diagnosed with COPD between 2016 and 2019 who were enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration. They obtained ambient PM2.5 concentrations from annual air pollution models from 2000 to 2016, available at NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center; the average 5-year PM2.5 exposure for the cohort was 8.18 µg/m 3 . . The odds of all-cause mortality associated with 5-year average PM2.5 exposure were estimated, and comorbidities associated with mortality were identified. TAKEAWAY: Each 1 μg/m 3 increase in long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 3.8% increase in the odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.038; 95% CI, 1.035-1.040) among patients with COPD. increase in long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 3.8% increase in the odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.038; 95% CI, 1.035-1.040) among patients with COPD. Individuals with comorbidities such as lung cancer (aOR, 1.051; 95% CI, 1.035-1.068), coronary arterial disease (aOR, 1.039; 95% CI, 1.033-1.044), and chronic kidney disease (aOR, 1.042; 95% CI, 1.034-1.049) showed higher susceptibility to PM2.5 exposure than those without comorbidities. Men, individuals living in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods, and those identifying as Asian had higher odds of mortality with increasing PM2.5 exposure. Decreases in PM2.5 concentrations were associated with lower odds of all-cause mortality at all exposure levels for patients with COPD and those with additional comorbidities. IN PRACTICE: 'Our findings suggest that even small decreases in PM2.5 NAAQS [National Ambient Air Quality Standards] will benefit the millions of Americans living with COPD,' the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Camille Robichaux, MD, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. It was published online on May 2, 2025, in Annals of the American Thoracic Society . LIMITATIONS: The veteran population studied was older, consisted solely of men, and had a higher prevalence of smoking and comorbidities, potentially limiting generalizability. Additionally, the use of modeled data for air pollution exposure, rather than direct measurements, may not have provided an accurate representation of individual exposure levels. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; and others. Resources and facilities were provided by the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Sleep problem that affects 10million people in UK could trigger world's deadliest cancer, first-of-its-kind study warns
HEAVY snorers could be at risk of the world's deadliest cancer, a shock new study has revealed. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has previously been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. 1 Now, in a world-first trial, a "significant" link has been found between the condition and lung cancer. US researchers, who assessed the health records of more than 2.4 million adults, say they're not exactly sure why it raises the risk. But they believe it could be due to a lack of oxygen people with the condition get during the night - or lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity. The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. Scientists present urged policymakers to consider screening those with OSA for the cancer, and to tackle the condition early, soon after diagnosis. Globally, an estimated 936 million adults aged 30-69 years are affected by OSA. The condition occurs when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to narrow or close, interrupting breathing. This can happen due to several factors, including obesity, a large neck or collar size, structural abnormalities like a small lower jaw or a large tongue, and other medical conditions. Common symptoms include breathing stopping and starting, making gasping, snorting or choking noises, waking up a lot, and loud snoring, says the NHS. According to the Sleep Apnoea Trust, as many as 10 million people in the UK suffer from OSA – with up to four million of these suffering either severely or moderately - although it's considered to be underdiagnosed. I'm a doctor and these 5 changes could be a sign of deadly lung cancer It's important to note while snoring is a common symptom of OSA, it's not a guaranteed sign. In the study, researchers at Marshall University in West Virginia tracked lung cancer diagnoses and separated those diagnosed with OSA and those without. After accounting for different influential factors, such as age, people with OSA were found to be 1.21 times more likely to develop lung cancer compared to those without the sleep disorder. Dr Jowan Al-Nusair, study co-author and physician at Marshall University told MailOnline it was "one of the first statistically significant studies" to prove a link between the condition and lung cancer. She added: "While further studies are definitely now needed to investigate just how the significant the link truly is, this suggests OSA may be a preventable risk factor for lung cancer. "We should be more closely monitoring patients with OSA. Patients would definitely benefit from screening and early intervention to combat OSA. "Additional studies are essential to understand exactly why OSA may increase this risk. "We really hope this will pave the way for future research and testing." Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In the UK, around 35,000 people die from lung cancer each year. The primary cause of lung cancer is tobacco smoke, accounting for the vast majority of cases. But lung cancer cases are now rising among young people who have never smoked, with some experts attributing this to factors like air pollution. Do you have obstructive sleep apnoea? Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. The most common type is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Sleep apnoea needs to be treated because it can lead to more serious problems. Symptoms mainly happen while you're asleep, they include: breathing stopping and starting making gasping, snorting or choking noises waking up a lot loud snoring During the day, you may also: feel very tired find it hard to concentrate have mood swings have a headache when you wake up It can be hard to tell if you have sleep apnoea. It may help to ask someone to stay with you while you sleep so they can check for the symptoms. If a GP thinks you might have sleep apnoea, they may refer you to a specialist sleep clinic for tests. Source: NHS
