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Sex Divide in Cancer: Men's Risk Higher, Women's Tailored
3 Feb
Summary
- Nearly half of men's cancers are preventable, versus 30% for women.
- Infections cause most preventable cancers in sub-Saharan African women.
- Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers are nearly half of preventable cases.
A landmark study has revealed that nearly half of all cancer cases globally are preventable, with a notable disparity between sexes. Men face a 45% preventable cancer rate, significantly higher than women's 30%, primarily attributed to higher smoking prevalence among men. Regional differences are stark: in sub-Saharan Africa, infections are responsible for nearly 80% of preventable cancers in women. Conversely, in Europe, smoking, infection, and obesity are the leading preventable causes for women.
The research highlights that lung cancer, linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer due to H. pylori infection, and cervical cancer from HPV infection, collectively account for almost half of all preventable cancer cases. Experts emphasize that targeted strategies are crucial, as interventions must be tailored to specific regional or national contexts.
This comprehensive assessment, incorporating infectious, behavioral, environmental, and occupational risks, offers a powerful opportunity to reduce the global cancer burden. Success stories from countries implementing policies against smoking and HPV vaccination demonstrate that progress is achievable. The ultimate goal is to drive down the percentage of preventable cancers as close to zero as possible.
