The rates for most types of cancer are significantly higher in men than women for reasons that have eluded experts. However, a recent study suggests that the cause of the mysterious phenomenon lies in biological sex differences rather than behavioral differences related to alcohol use, smoking, diet, or other factors.
Sex Differences and Cancer Risks
Understanding the reasons behind the sex differences in cancer risks could shed light on vital information that can improve both the prevention and treatment of specific cancers. To get to the bottom of things, Sarah Jackson, Ph.D. of the National Cancer Institute, and her colleagues analyzed the differences in cancer risks for 21 cancer sites in 171,274 male and 122,826 female adults between the ages of 50 and 71 that participated in a study from 1995 to 2011.
During this period, 17,591 new cancers were seen in men and 8,742 in women. The incidence was lower in men than women for thyroid and gallbladder cancers, while risks were 1.33 to 10.58 times higher in men for other anatomic sites. The greatest increase in cancer risks in men was for esophageal cancer, at 10.8 times higher, larynx, at 3.5 times higher; gastric cardia, at 3.5 times higher, and bladder cancer, at 3.3 times increase, reports EurekAlert.
Despite adjusting for a range of risk behaviors and carcinogenic exposures, men still had increased risks in most forms of cancer. The differences in risk behavior and carcinogenic exposure between males and females only accounted for a small percentage of the male predominance of most cancers.
The findings published in the American Cancer Society Journals, titled "Sex disparities in the incidence of 21 cancer types: Quantification of the contribution of risk factors," suggest that biological differences between males and females - such as immunological, physiological, genetic, and other differences - play a vital role in the susceptibility of men to cancer versus women.
Sex as a Biological Factor for Cancer
Dr. Jackson says that the study results show differences in cancer incidence that are not explained solely by environmental exposures. This suggests that an intrinsic biological difference between both sexes affect their susceptibility to cancer.
In an accompanying editorial, the authors of the study note that a multi-faceted approach is needed to address the sex disparities in cancer. Experts say that considering sex as a variable should be enforced along the cancer continuum from risk predictions to primary prevention, care, screening, secondary prevention, patient management, and cancer treatment.
Examining and addressing the differences in sex in cancer and other diseases is an ongoing quest.
Cancer is a disease that affects the cellular growth of the body. It grows uncontrollably and spreads to other parts of the body. It can start virtually anywhere in the body. There are times when the orderly process of cellular growth breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply.
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