Do You Know That Men Have Greater Cancer Risk Than Women?

To a certain degree, men are more likely to develop and die from a form of cancer than women. Recent UK studies revealed that men have greater cancer risk than women. In fact, men are 60% more likely to develop and 70% more likely to die from cancers that affect both sexes (excluding breast cancer and other form of cancers that are gender specific).

There seems to be no biological explanation for this gap between sexes and it is as though that certain lifestyle changes could help prevent most of the cancers. Apparently women are far more careful when it comes to their health while men should be more aware of their own health and visit the doctors more frequently. Experts say, men reluctance to adopt a healthy lifestyle might be the reason why men have greater cancer risk.

Men are far less health conscious than women and this seems to fuel the gap between sexes when it comes to cancer mortality. Professor David Forman, researcher and member of the National Cancer Intelligence Network, said there’s no biological reason why this gender gap should exist and that men could avoid health issues by simply being more health conscious. The research conducted by the National Cancer Intelligence Network showed men are far less likely to make significant lifestyle changes and are less likely to visit a doctor when cancer symptoms arise.

Chairman of the Men Health’s forum, Professor Alan White, also noted men usually ignore factors such as obesity, smoking, drinking, and having a poor diet as contributors to cancer risks. Professor White said men have to look to their lifestyles more seriously and take more responsibility but new research is needed in order to better understand the serious gender gap that exists when it comes to cancer mortality.

Professor Mike Richards, government’s cancer expert, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and urged all men to seek help and visit their doctors when health issues arise. Sara Hiom, member of Cancer Research UK, said more than half of the cancers can be prevented by certain lifestyle changes but men are more reluctant than women when it comes to visiting the doctor. This delay in reporting health issues to a doctor might be one of the main reasons why men are more likely to die of cancer than women are.