The burden of cancer has changed substantially, with diagnoses and risks higher among women than men, according to a new report released by the American Cancer Society. The report found that for the first time, cancer rates among women aged 50-64 have exceeded those of men.

Women under 50 also have cancer rates 82 percent higher than men of the same age, up from 51 percent a decade ago.

According to the report The death rate from cancer has also declined by 34 percent, leading to about 4.5 million fewer deaths over two decades. The reasons for this have been said to be less smoking, better treatment and early detection of cancer.

Lung cancer rates are increasing in women

Although the report could not determine why the increase is occurring, researchers say obesity as well as genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

“The continued decline in cancer mortality rates due to declines in smoking, better treatments, and early detection is certainly good news,” Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society, said in a statement. “However, this progress is hampered by the increasing incidence in young and middle-aged women, who are often family caregivers, and the increasing burden of cancer from men to women.”

Apart from breast cancer, liver cancer and melanoma, the report also found Overall decline in lung cancer cases The decline among women remained slow from 2012 to 2021. Experts say this is mostly because women are heavier smokers and slower to quit.

Doctors say that if you are a woman under 65, you will be more likely to get lung cancer than men.

Why are cancer cases increasing in women?,

According to experts, there are many reasons for the high incidence of cancer in women. One of the most important is that about 40 percent of all cancers can be prevented by changes in modifiable risk factors – lifestyle and environment – ​​that can be changed and make the likelihood of developing cancer more or less.

Too, excess body weight and obesity Twice as many cases of cancer are being reported in women as compared to men. There has been a reported increase in endometrial cancer, particularly in young women, which is strongly linked to obesity.

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