Cancer is a deadly disease and can affect both men and women alike. However, there are a few kinds of cancer that can be deadlier in men than in women. Lifestyle habits, genetics and other factors make men more predisposed to certain types of cancer. Here is a list of the same.
Prostate cancer: Of course only men have this organ so women can’t suffer from this cancer. Ideally, every man should do a PSA test post 50 years of age to check if their prostate is healthy as prostate cancer is a silent killer and most often one isn’t aware of the same until it reaches an advanced stage, according to Dr Anup Ramani, Uro-Oncological & Robotic Surgeon, Lilavati, Breach Candy, Saifee Hospital.
Lung cancer: While smoking and tobacco usage has been cited to be a prime cause of lung cancer in men, in the recent times there has been a rise in some women smokers suffering from the same. However, studies have shown that men smokers are more at risk of lung cancer than women smokers [1].
Colorectal cancer: Worldwide colorectal cancer is thought to be a leading cause of mortality and affects both men and women equally. However, in India, the incidence of this type of cancer is much less as compared to the west. But studies show that the 5-year survival rate is better in women than in men who get treated for the same. So men, why to take chances clean eating and corrective lifestyle can save you big time [2].
Early menopause in smokers may increase bladder cancer risk. © Shutterstock
Kidney cancer: This is again a type of cancer that is more prominent in men than women. In fact, men have a threefold greater risk of developing bladder cancer than women. Smoking, genetics and other occupational factors are cited as reasons that increase a man’s chances of suffering from renal cell carcinoma than women. Also, kidney cancer in men are manifested with larger tumours and are more aggressive in nature than in women [4]
Pancreatic cancer: While an equal number of men and women might suffer from incidences of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis is more common in men than women. Alcohol-related pancreatitis is more common in men. In women, pancreatitis is more due to gall stones, autoimmune diseases and other factors. Still, more studies are needed to know whether genetic factors expose men more to this type of cancer [6].
Leukaemia: A study published in European Journal of Cancer Care that aimed to summarise various studies pertaining to the incidence, prevalence, mortality, aetiology, clinical diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) (which is predominantly a childhood disease but can affect the adults too), the incidence is slightly higher in men than in women [7].
Mouth and throat cancer: While experts suggest that smoking, tobacco consumption, alcohol addiction can make men prone to such type of cancer than women, no concrete data was found to substantiate the claim.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: While this cancer hijacks the immune system of the victim is known to be the fifth most dangerous cancer in the US. In India, the numbers are still less (less than a million a year). A study published in journal Clinical Lymphoma showed that the incidence of this cancer is 50 percent more in men than women [8].
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