New research released today reveals that men have a 40 per cent higher risk of dying from cancer than women. In addition they are 70 per cent more likely to die from cancers where both men and women are affected, excluding breast cancer and prostate cancer.
The statistics have been compiled as part of a new report by the National Cancer Intelligence Network, (NCIN), Cancer Research UK and the Men’s Health Forum, and were formulated according to cancer rates in the population, which were amended for age.
Researchers reveled there was “no biological reason” that men should have a higher risk of getting the disease and dying from it, however possible reasons could be “stereotypical” male behaviours like not visiting the doctor early enough and ignoring the symptoms.
In the report it was discovered that men are 16 per cent more likely to get any type of cancer and 60 per cent more likely to develop a cancer that affects both men and women.
Professor David Forman from the NCIN said, “Men have a reputation for having a ’stiff upper lip’ and not being 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.”
