Talk To The Hand

Cancer Kills Regardless of Gender

Women have always known it and they frequently try to do something about it – often to no effect.  While they go for smear tests, mammograms and regularly inspect their breasts for lumps, their “menfolk” assume the ostrich position and, even if seriously troubled, won’t visit the doctor.

Now data tells us that men are almost 40% more likely than women to die from cancer and 70% more likely to die from cancers that affect both sexes, with the exception of breast and prostate cancer.

Recently published research based on cancer rates in the population are part of a report from the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN), Cancer Research UK and the Men's Health Forum.

We are told that there is "no known biological reason" why men should be more likely to develop cancer and die, but “stereotypical" male behaviours, such as playing down early symptoms and not visiting the doctor, could be the cause.

The study found men were 16% more likely to develop any type of cancer than women and more than 60% more likely to develop cancers that can affect both sexes.

Professor David Forman from the NCIN blamed men’s “stiff upper lip” attitude and the fact that they are not as health-conscious as women. “What we see from this report could be a reflection of this attitude, meaning men are less likely to make lifestyle changes that could reduce their risk of the disease and less likely to go to their doctor with cancer symptoms.”

So the next time you tell your husband, partner, father or son to take more care of his health or to go to the doctor with early symptoms and get a variation on the “don’t nag, dear!” theme, show him this article.  It’s a matter of life and death and women do know best.

Categories

• health-and-beauty
• Breast
• cancer
• Men
• Prostate

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