ObjectiveTo analyze the age distribution characteristics of breast cancer incidence and mortality across countries and regions worldwide, and to explore the association between the human development index (HDI) and the average age of onset and death of breast cancer, to provide a scientific basis for developing breast cancer prevention and control strategies. MethodsData on female breast cancer incidence and mortality for 185 countries and regions worldwide were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database, which released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This study systematically analyzed the distribution characteristics of the age of onset and death of breast cancer in China and different regions of the world with different levels of HDI and different geographical regions, and explored the relationship between HDI and the average age of onset and death of breast cancer. ResultsIn 2022, there were approximately 2.30 million new cases of female breast cancer worldwide, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 46.80 per 100 000, and approximately 665 300 deaths, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 12.64 per 100 000. The incidence rate was highest in very high HDI regions (75.63 per 100 000), while the mortality rate was highest in low HDI regions (19.11 per 100 000). The average age of breast cancer incidence globally was 58.7 years, and the average age of death was 63.2 years. Both the average age of onset and death of breast cancer increased with the improvement of HDI levels. Specifically, in low HDI regions, the average age of incidence was 51.0 years, and the average age of death was 53.7 years; whereas in very high HDI regions, the average age of breast cancer incidence reached 62.7 years, and the average age of death was 70.0 years. The average age of breast cancer incidence and death in China was slightly lower than the global average level, at 56.0 years and 62.7 years, respectively. From different regions, developed areas such as European regions, North America, and Australia / New Zealand had a relatively higher average ages of incidence, exceeding 61 years; whereas in less-developed areas such as various African regions (excluding South Africa) and Armenia had relatively lower average ages of incidence, as low as under 53 years, especially with the average age of incidence in Central Africa being as low as 50.6 years. The HDI showed a significant positive correlation with both the average age of incidence and death, with correlation coefficients of 0.77 and 0.82, respectively (P<0.001). After adjusting for population age structure, the correlation between the age-standardized average age of incidence and death and HDI slightly decreased, with correlation coefficients of 0.41 and 0.73, respectively (P<0.001). ConclusionsThere were significant regional differences in the age distribution of breast cancer incidence and mortality worldwide, which are closely associated with HDI level. High-HDI regions have a high incidence rates but relatively low mortality rate, while low-HDI regions face a double burden of earlier onset and higher mortality. The age onset of breast cancer in Chinese women is earlier than that in European and American countries, and there are significant regional differences in the age distribution of incidence and mortality compared to other countries. Therefore, the development of prevention and control strategies such as screening should consider the characteristics of breast cancer incidence and mortality distribution by age in China.
ObjectiveTo provide a basis for timely adjustment of cancer prevention and control measures in China through timely understanding of the latest 2022 global cancer statistics reported in the CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians published “Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries”. MethodsThe statistical data of GLOBOCAN in 2022 were systematically analyzed and the incidence and mortality of cancer by age, sex, type, and region were comprehensively interpreted. The changing trends in cancer were compared between China and the rest of the world, and the potential risk factors as well as current cancer prevention and control measures were summarized. Results① Globally, for both sexes combined, there were an estimated 19.976 million new cases and 9.744 million cancer deaths in 2022. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was 196.9 per 100 000 and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) was 91.7 per 100 000 in 2022. The ASIR of all cancers was highest in Europe (268.1 per 100 000) and lowest in South-East Asia (109.6 per 100 000), as well as the ASMR of all cancers was highest in Europe (106.3 per 100 000) and lowest in South-East Asia (71.0 per 100 000). The top three cancer types of newly diagnosed cancer cases were lung, breast, and colorectal cancer, while the top three leading causes of cancer deaths were lung, colorectal, and liver cancer. The incidence and mortality rates of all cancers increased with advancing age. The numbers of newly diagnosed cancer cases and cancer deaths, as well as the age-standardized rates were consistently higher among men compared to women. The lung cancer and breast cancer ranked first in terms of newly diagnosed cancer cases among men and women, respectively. Consistently, the lung cancer and breast cancer were also the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men and women, respectively. ② In China, there were an estimated 4.825 million new cases and 2.574 million cancer deaths. The ASIR was 201.6 per 100 000 and the ASMR was 96.5 per 100 000 in 2022. The ASIR and ASMR both ranked 65th out of 185 countries. The top three cancer types among newly diagnosed cases were lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and thyroid cancer, while the top three leading causes of cancer deaths were lung cancer, liver cancer, and gastric cancer. ConclusionsThe cancers incidences and deaths worldwide in 2022 have declined from that in 2020 (196.9 per 100 000 versus 201.0 per 100 000, 91.7 per 100 000 versus 100.7 per 100 000, respectively). Lung cancer is the leading type of newly diagnosed cancer both in China and globally. However, the second and third most common cancers in China differ from the global picture. In China, colorectal cancer and thyroid cancer take the second and third spots, respectively; Whereas globally, breast cancer and colorectal cancer occupy these positions. Lung cancer is the first ranked leading cause of death in both China and globally. However, there are differences in the second and third most common causes. In China, liver cancer and gastic cancer take the second and third spots, respectively; While globally, colorectal cancer and liver cancer occupy these positions. This study analyzes the characteristics of the disease burden of cancer in China by comparing the epidemiological features of cancer in China and worldwide, aiming to provide scientific evidences for developing comprehensive cancer prevention and control measures tailored specifically to China’s national conditions.