(NaturalHealth365)  Cancer is a diagnosis nobody wants to receive – it’s terrifying.  While cancer rates have steadily climbed for most types, deaths from cancer have gone down.  That’s good news, but it’s not the whole story.

Few epidemiological studies have examined cancer cases versus deaths from the disease, so researchers have decided to investigate this gap.  They focused on men’s cancer rates versus mortality, mainly because men’s cancer risk factors tend to be more controllable than women’s or children’s.

What they found is concerning, but there is hope.  We’ll look at their results and methods, what we can expect for men’s cancer rates going forward, and what you can do to lower your risks.

Men’s cancer rates: A growing but preventable crisis

The study we’re looking at was conducted in 2022 when cancer incidence was about 212 per 100,000 men surveyed.  While this might not sound like a huge number, it is significant – and the research suggests these numbers could jump by up to 93% by 2050.

Generally speaking, women face certain cancer risks due to their biology.  The hormonal changes they experience throughout life make them more susceptible to cancers men simply don’t have to worry about – either because men lack ovaries and a uterus or because they don’t go through the same hormonal shifts.  Men, however, have a different problem: they tend to make riskier lifestyle choices and pay less attention to their health than women, driving up their cancer rates for largely preventable reasons.

While men don’t face the risks of breast, uterine, ovarian, or other female reproductive cancers, they tend to smoke more, drink more, and make poorer lifestyle choices than women, including bad diet and lack of exercise.  These factors account for a huge portion of cancer rates – and they’re largely preventable.

Are men’s cancer rates rising faster than we can handle?

The researchers analyzed global epidemiological data to develop what they call an MIR (mortality to incidence ratio).  They hypothesized that men in societies with lower Human Development Index (HDI) scores would have a much closer MIR to men in higher HDI countries.  This makes sense – poor access to medical care, low socioeconomic status, war, disease, famine, and social unrest create low HDI societies.  At the same time, countries like Australia, the U.S., and most of Europe rank higher on the HDI scale.

They collected statistical data on males across several age groups: 15 to 64, 15 to 39, 40 to 64, and 65 and older.  By sampling these diverse age groups and breaking them down by HDI status, they could better understand mortality versus incidence rates.  The researchers then used this data to project men’s cancer rates 25 years into the future, assuming current societal conditions remained unchanged.

The results were troubling.  In low and medium HDI countries, the MIR was significantly closer – meaning cancer rates and deaths from cancer were nearly matched.  Higher HDI countries showed high cancer incidence but lower mortality rates.  This difference partly stems from richer countries having more access to cancer-promoting lifestyles, but researchers also noted better diagnostic capabilities in countries with stronger healthcare systems.

One of the study’s most striking findings focused on men over 65, who showed the highest mortality rates when diagnosed with almost any type of cancer, especially rare ones like pancreatic or unusual blood cancers.  The researchers suggested this might be because older men are less likely to seek treatment, have lower treatment tolerance, or lack access to necessary care due to economic factors.

What the study says about men’s cancer rates

The study projects a nearly 93% increase in men’s cancer rates by 2050 if current trends and variables remain unchanged. It emphasizes the critical role of wealthier nations in supporting poorer countries to strengthen global cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The researchers advocate for creating a robust network of interconnected medical data sharing to improve outcomes worldwide.

How to lower your cancer risk: Simple steps every man can take

As research shows, men’s cancer risks often stem from preventable factors we impose on ourselves.  Men are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol, engage in risky behaviors, maintain poor diets, live sedentary lifestyles, and work jobs with carcinogen exposure.  We’re also less likely than women to see doctors and often ignore cancer symptoms for months – choices that can seriously impact treatment success.

Nature offers many tools to fight disease, though we often overlook these natural protections.

Quit smoking – period.  There’s no benefit to smoking, only downsides.  Lung cancer has the highest incidence and mortality rate for men worldwide, with smoking as a leading cause.

Monitor alcohol intake.  While moderate drinking might be okay, most men drink more than safe amounts.  Excessive drinking doesn’t just harm your liver and heart – it increases cancer risk across the board.

Your diet matters enormously in cancer prevention.  Add cancer-fighting foods like organic walnuts, black beans, turmeric, chilies, and ginger.  Increase your fruit and vegetable intake while removing processed foods.  These changes particularly help prevent colon cancer.

Exercise regularly – it helps trigger death in damaged cells.  Consider beneficial supplements like ashwagandha, curcumin, vitamin D, and green tea.  These have shown promising results in cancer prevention.

Manage stress through regular exercise and meditation.  High stress causes inflammation, which can promote cancer development.  Make stress management a priority in your daily routine.

Cancer rates are rising, but you can take action now to lower your risk.  Many of these changes aren’t about adding new habits but stopping harmful ones.

Taking charge of your health brings multiple benefits: lower blood pressure, reduced cardiovascular disease risk, less inflammation, and better overall well-being.  Don’t make it easier for disease to take hold – start protecting your health today.

Editor’s note: Discover the best ways to naturally avoid the threat of cancer from many of the best holistic cancer experts, own the Stop Cancer Docu-Class created by NaturalHealth365 Programs.

Sources for this article include:

Wiley.com