Men face greater cancer risk

Scientists have said they are “baffled” after uncovering a striking gender gap over who is more likely to get and die from cancer.

Research by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) and Cancer Research UK suggests men in 2006 and 2007 were almost 40 per cent more likely than women to die from cancer.

Excluding cancers specific to one or other sex, like breast cancer and testicular cancer, the difference increased to 70 per cent.

And it did not decline when lung cancer was removed. They had expected it to because more men smoke.

“For many of the types of cancer we looked at that affect both sexes, there’s no known biological reason why men should be at a greater risk than women, so we were surprised to see such consistent differences,” Professor David Forman of the NCIN said.

Researchers have been left speculating as to reasons why this may be the case.

They have suggested male reluctance to acknowledge early symptoms need investigated by doctors may contribute.

They may also be more prone to living unhealthily. Smoking, excess weight around the waist, heavy drinking and a poor diet are all well-known factors increasing cancer risk, the researchers concluded.