Cancer will likely be the leading cause of early death by 2050, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.
Released last week, the report is the 4th edition of the group’s “Cancer Atlas.” In their study, researchers from the American Cancer Society found that cancer cases in the U.S. are projected to grow by 74%.
While lung cancer was found to be the most common cancer across the world, in the U.S., the most common cancers included breast cancer for women and prostate cancer for men. Skin cancer was also identified as a common cancer, with colorectal cancer also growing amongst younger people.
Although cancers affect all demographics, the report found that Black Americans are among those who are expected to be most impacted by the increase in cancer diagnoses. Overall, they are the most likely to be diagnosed with aggressive forms of cancer, recording the highest death rates from cancer.
Researchers from the American Cancer Society attribute this to disparities like discrimination, cost, lack of access to insurance as well as lack of access to proper treatment options at earlier stages of illness.
In their report, researchers behind the Cancer Atlas also addressed the global cancer rate. Per the report, cervical cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer death amongst women in 29 countries located in sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers attribute the growing rate to a lack of health technology, with less than 10% of women aged 30 to 49 years living in these countries having ever had a screening. Once diagnosed, 23 sub-Saharan African countries reported that they did not have access to radiotherapy for treatment.
“The Cancer Atlas brings attention to some of our most pressing challenges and biggest opportunities to address the global cancer burden,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, per a press release.“Together, we can leverage this research to lessen cancer’s footprint on our global community by increasing education, prioritizing screening and prevention, and improving care.”
The latest report on the increase in cancer diagnoses comes days after a study by the American Cancer Society associated Medicaid with increased rates of survival amongst patients 65 and older diagnosed with cancer. According to the data, two-year overall survival rates improved from 58.8% to 62% in states with Medicaid expansion.
Although Medicaid is being linked with increased cancer rates, the healthcare program is at risk of losing billions in funding.
Yesterday, the Senate passed the administration’s tax and spending bill after a series of votes that spanned across the course of 24 hours. Passed in a 51 to 50 vote, the “big, beautiful bill” is expected to increase spending for defense, energy production, border security and tax cuts by cutting funds for nutrition and health care programs.
As a result, funding for Medicaid could be cut by $930 billion over the course of 10 years. Black citizens are expected to be disproportionately affected as they make up 20% of Medicaid enrollees.
Overall, 17 million people in the U.S. may be without healthcare in the next few years.
