Decrease in infection-related cancers offset by lifestyle cancers in developing nations

A study in Lancet Oncology has found that while infection-related cancers may decrease in many countries with rapid societal and economic growth, this number will likely be offset by an increasing number of new cancers that are more associated with reproductive, dietary, and hormonal factors.

For the study, researchers used 2008 GLOBOCAN cancer estimates along with projected demographic changes to forecast the cancer prevalence worldwide in 2030.  Key findings:

• In regions with the highest Human Development Index (HDI) in 2008, the most common cancers were breast, lung, colorectum, and prostate.
• In medium HDI regions, cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, and liver were also common.
• Together, these 7 cancers accounted for 62% of cancers in medium to highest HDI regions.
• In low HDI regions, cervical cancer is more common than both breast cancer and liver cancer.

The authors conclude that in medium and high HDI regions, the decreases in cervical and stomach cancer incidence seem to be offset by an increase in the incidence of female breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

(Sources: The Advisory Board Daily Briefing, http://advisory.com, June 4, 2012; Lancet Oncology, http://www.thelancet.com/, June 2012)