Despite declining age-standardized risks, smoking and alcohol remain major drivers of the global burden of esophageal cancer. Population growth and aging will further increase absolute case numbers. Projections to 2040 show continued declines in age-standardized mortality and DALY rates, yet male burden will remain substantially higher. Prevention should prioritize tobacco/alcohol control and targeted strategies for high-burden regions, males, and the elderly.
Zhou et al. (Tue,) studied this question.