Men have a higher risk of dying from cancer compared to women, mainly because males have a higher initial risk and are generally diagnosed when the cancer is further advanced, a National Cancer Institute Study has revealed in Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
The researchers examined a database with details on 36 different types of cancer for a 30-year period up to 2006.
Women were found to have a higher mortality rate in just five types of cancer – including gall bladder, thyroids, and breast.
Lip cancer had the highest male-to-female mortality ratio – 5.5 men for every woman, followed by esophageal cancer (4 to 1).
A man has twice the risk of dying from leukemia than a woman.
2.3 males die of lung cancer for every single female – the leading cause of cancer death among both sexes.
Researcher Michael Cook explained that the main reasons for the higher male cancer mortality rate is risk – men are simply more at risk of developing cancer than women. 1 in every 12 males develops lung cancer during his lifetime, compared to 1 in 16 females.
Also, more women are diagnosed at earlier stages of their cancer, compared to men. A cancer that is diagnosed earlier on can be treated more effectively.
Men’s bodies are more exposed to tobacco smoke and viral infections, the authors wrote. Some physical differences, such as sex chromosomes and hormones, may also play a part, they added.
The higher male mortality rate is due to a number of factors, rather than just one, including tumor behavior, not being screened even though there are no symptoms, comorbidities, and reluctance to seek medical advice.
At least one third of all men do not go and see their doctor regularly in the USA.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 1 in every 4 deaths in America is caused by cancer – the highest cause after heart disease. Approximately 1.6 million patients will have been diagnosed with cancer by the end of this year, and 600,000 will die from the disease.
“Sex Disparities in Cancer Mortality and Survival”
Michael B. Cook, Katherine A. McGlynn, Susan S. Devesa, Neal D. Freedman, and William F. Anderson
Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-11-0246
Written by Barry Windsor