Skin cancer death 70% more likely in men than women
pharmafile | August 23, 2013 | News story | Sales and Marketing | CRUK, melanoma, skin cancer
New research suggests that men are 70% more likely to die from the most dangerous form of skin cancer than women, with experts indicating the gender gap will widen.
According to charity Cancer Research UK, 1,300 men and 900 women die from malignant melanoma each year in Britain, despite comparable diagnosis rates – 17.2 and 17.3 per 100,000, respectively.
Figures also suggest that this divide is likely to increase as over the last four decades, melanoma mortality rates have shot up 185% among men, but only 55% among women.
The cause of this gender gap remains uncertain, although Cancer Research UK dermatologist Julia Newton-Bishop suggests there may be several factors at play.
She said: “There seem to be strong biological reasons behind the differences and we’re working on research to better understand why men and women’s bodies deal with their melanomas in different ways.”
She added: “Research has [also] suggested the difference between the sexes could be in part because men are more likely to be diagnosed when melanoma is at a more advanced stage.
Later diagnoses among men may be down to the fact that they develop melanoma on the back and chest more often than women – making growths more difficult to spot.
The charity’s director of early diagnosis, Sarah Hiom, suggested that attitudes to seeking medical help could also play a part.
She said: “We tend to be reluctant to ‘waste the doctor’s time’ – men are especially likely to put it off.
“If something goes wrong with the car then you sort it out straight away. The same should go for you.”
Researchers indicate that key risk factors for melanoma include pale skin, large amounts of moles, a family history of the disease and high exposure to UV light.
Hiom also drew attention to research that suggests using sun-beds before the age of 35 can increase the risk of developing melanoma by up to 60 per cent.
She added: “When the sun is strong, pop on a t-shirt, spend some time in the shade and use a sunscreen with at least SPF15 and good UVA protection – the higher the star rating, the better.”
Hugh McCafferty
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