Global Rates of Liver Cancer Increasing Among Older Adults: Study

A study by Fudan University in China published in Cancer found global liver cancer rates are growing among older adults, reports the Deccan Herald . Worldwide, liver cancer cases diagnosed before age 30 decreased from 17,381 in 1990 to 14,661 in 2017 — but these rates increased in people 30 to 59 and 60 years old from 216,561 and 241,189 in 1990 to 359,770 and 578,344 in 2017, respectively. Cases of liver cancer diagnosed before the age of 30 and from 30 to 59 years declined in both sexes, whereas in older adults rates rose in males and held steady in females. Men had a more dramatic increase in liver cancer diagnosed at age 60 and older and a milder decrease in cases diagnosed at 30 to 59 years than women. "Our findings suggest the lack of attention for older people in current liver cancer prevention efforts and highlight the emerging concern of obesity as a risk factor for liver cancer," said Fudan University's Xingdong Chen. "Liver cancer prevention strategies in both developing and developed countries should be tailored and updated."