Is lack of awareness and reluctance to go to the doctor leading to increased cancer deaths in men?
Figures released today show a worrying trend – UK men are more likely to get cancer than women, and also more likely to die from the disease.
The report (pdf), compiled by Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN), Leeds Metropolitan University and the Men’s Health Forum shows that men are 40 per cent more likely to die from cancer than women overall, and 16 per cent more likely to get the disease.
To find out if this was due to cancers that predominantly affect only one sex, the researchers removed certain cancers from their equation – namely sex-specific cancers (such as prostate and cervical cancer), breast cancer (which mainly affects women, although men can still get it) and lung cancer (which affects 8,000 more men than women every year).
The team found that when they looked at data from cancers that affected both men an women, the difference became even more striking. Men were 60 per cent more likely to get cancer than women, and 70 per cent more likely to die from it.
These figures are concerning not only for men, but for their families too. But why does this difference exist, and what can we do about it?
Biology, lifestyle or the ‘ostrich factor’?
This particular gender gap is mysterious because there’s no significant biological reason as to why men should be more susceptible to many types of cancer than women. But men were more likely to die from any of the cancers investigated in the report, and – apart from malignant melanoma – were also more likely to develop the disease in the first place. So what’s the cause?
Experts point the finger at two possible explanations. Firstly, lifestyle factors. As well as smoking, UK men are drinking increasing amounts of alcohol, putting on weight, and taking less exercise. All of these things are known risk factors for several types of cancer. But women are overindulging in unhealthy behaviour too (although not as much), so that’s not the whole story.
Secondly, the report’s authors point the finger at a deeper-rooted issue with the male psyche – the tendency to hide one’s head in the sand when it comes to health matters.
Throughout their lives, women tend to have frequent contact with health professionals – for example, when seeking contraception or during pregnancy, birth and child-rearing. This provides opportunities to discuss any worrying symptoms, and to pick up information about cancer prevention and symptoms.
Women are also invited to go for cervical and breast cancer screening at the GP’s surgery or a mobile clinic, providing more opportunities for information and discussion about health. Both men and women can take part in bowel cancer screening, but this test is done at home.
In addition, women’s magazines are packed full of messages about health and cancer awareness, such as the heavy coverage of cervical cancer in response to Jade Goody’s story. While there are a number of publications aimed at male health and fitness, health messages for men don’t seem to have reached the level of saturation they have achieved in the female media market.
Researching the reasons
Stereotypically, men are less likely to go to the doctor if they have early symptoms of cancer, such as a persistent cough, a change in bowel habit or problems with peeing (early symptoms of lung, bowel and prostate cancer, respectively). As Professor David Foreman, information lead at the NCIN puts it,
Men have a reputation for having a ’stiff upper lip’ and not being as health conscious as women.
At Cancer Research UK, we often hear stories from female supporters about how they had to pester their menfolk to visit the doctor, but by the time they finally did, it was too late. Every story is a tragedy for that family, and another reason why we need to put early detection and symptom awareness high on our list of priorities.
But as a science-based organisation, we can’t make decisions and strategy based on stereotypes and personal stories – we need hard data.
So last year, we helped launch NAEDI – the National Awareness and Early Detection Initiative – a joint initiative led by Cancer Research UK and the Department of Health (DoH) aimed at improving early diagnosis of cancer, which we hope will save many lives.
An important part of NAEDI’s work will be to carry out research as to why people put off going to the doctor with early cancer symptoms, and how best to get across messages about the signs of cancer. Armed with this information, we will be able to target the right messages to the right people, at the right time.
Getting the message across
As part of NAEDI, some interesting male-focused awareness projects have already started up. For example, the DoH and the Football Foundation are joint-funding a pilot programme called “Ahead of the Game”, aiming to use local football clubs to raise awareness of lung, bowel and prostate cancers in men aged 55 and over – a crucial age when it comes to spotting the earliest signs of cancer.
And the DoH and the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes have joined forces with Cancer Research UK’s Bobby Moore Fund to raise awareness of bowel cancer. You may have seen the “Moore to know” campaign posters around the place.
Football is just one way to reach men with messages about cancer, but of course it’s not the only way. It’s clear that we need more research to help plan awareness campaigns and policy. But also it seems that we, as a society, need to somehow encourage a shift in attitudes if we’re to help more dads, granddads, husbands, brothers and sons to beat cancer.
Kat
Further information
- Here are some short films about spotting the early signs of bowel, breast, lung and mouth cancer
- Advice on checking your skin and testicles for signs of cancer
- Symptoms of prostate cancer
- Advice about seeing your doctor with concerns about cancer
- If you have any concerns about cancer, please contact our team of Cancer Information Nurses
Welcome to the
July 20, 2009 at 11:59 am
I think a lot of the difference in the genders is down to men being more reluctant to visit GP’s but I doubt that’s the whole story. The fact is that the media and peoples perceptions of charity events and fund raising is virtually always around women and women’s cancer. I attended a superb ICR bash in Winchester earlier this year and our contact mistakenly assumed it was a breast cancer dinner just because it was a charity event. Similarly I attended the Race for Life in Reading yesterday and people I spoke to were not even aware that mixed gender races existed. I know things are changing slowly but I was interested in the deafening silence from politicians over the surveys findings. Had the results been the other way round Harriet Harman would have gone ballistic. They know there aren’t as many votes in men’s health as women’s and that’s why resarch into male cancer has lagged behind so badly. I know this is cynical and I am more optimistic than I was, but I am not in the slightest bit suprised by the findings of the report.
July 20, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Thanks for your comments, Paul. The results certainly highlight a need to do more to promote cancer awareness in men, and this is something our Health Information team are currently looking at.
I should also point out that our 10k runs, Relay for Life and many other fundraising events are not gender-restricted, while our 5km Run for Moore events are for men only.
Kat
August 22, 2009 at 11:00 am
Hi Kat…
You state: I should also point out that our 10k runs, Relay for Life and many other fundraising events are not gender-restricted, while our 5km Run for Moore events are for men only.
This is a very, very, very sore point with me.When you state: while our 5km Run for Moore events are for men only…
It saddens me to have to state blatant sex discrimination exists within CRUK that was subject of complaint to the then Equal Opportunity Commission and I am currently awaiting a response from The Complaints Team’s, Pete Meacham.
When there is only one (1) Run for Moore event held in London (for males) against 240 Race for Life (for females) events throughout the UK can anyone deny blatant sex discrimination exists?
To overcome this very unsatisfactory situation I have suggested CRUK launch at least three 5K Family Fun Runs next year in 1) London 2) York 3) Edinburgh…
Further background information can be found on Cancer Research UK Race for Life discussion board – under the heading:
Chapter 2 – What should Cancer Research UK do?
I sincerely hope my constructive suggestion becomes reality throughout the UK. Let’s really start working together and beat The Big C…together.
With best wishes,
John Taylor
September 28, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Let’s not forget, the Moore run is for bowel cancer, not prostate cancer, so the takings will help both genders, whereas Race For Life will help mainly female cancer victims, which is where the glaringly obvious misandry is, I don’t know why any intelligent person cannot see how disgraceful RFL is in light of these figures, men suffer and die more, but let’s pile all attention on women, they somehow hold higher importance when it comes to suffering.
I often wonder why the people who built civilization, invented all useful everyday objects we use, constructed all buildings, and who would put their lives on the line to protect women and children (Titanic), are always ignored in such serious matters, or told their suffering isn’t as worthy as women’s (who live longer), it is truly sickening, and a clear example of the attitude of most of today’s selfish, narcissistic women.
September 28, 2009 at 4:18 pm
A post like that barely warrants the dignity of a response, but I’ll rise to the bait.
Race for Life raises money (tens of millions of pounds every year) for the whole of the work of Cancer Research UK rather than, as you seem to think, specifically for cancers that affect women. Indeed, the “what your money can do” page (https://www.raceforlife.org/where-your-money-goes/what-your-money-can-do.aspx) only mentions two specific cancers, one of which – lung cancer – affects both genders while the other – prostate cancer – affects only men.
So those “selfish, narcissistic women” you mention are giving up their time and raising money to, potentially, save your life.
September 29, 2009 at 12:21 am
I got a letter from Cancer Research through my door just last week, and in huge letters at the top of the letter was “Cancer Research UK – Fighting For Women’s Survival”, so they clearly don’t care a jot about me, my son, or any other man’s survival, because if they did, as much as they do women’s, they would see fit to mention it, just as they do women’s, but they don’t, therefore it’s selfish and narcissistic.
If it said “Cancer Research UK – Fighting For Men’s Survival”, you’d see the discrimination and be crying fowl in a heartbeat, funny how you can’t see it when it’s the other way around.
If they genuinely cared about men, which they don’t, they wouldn’t make it all about women, or give the impression that it’s all about women, CRUK should hang their heads in shame, they shouldn’t be pushing a feminist agenda, they should be fighting cancer on all fronts.
September 29, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Cancer does not discriminate, and neither does Cancer Research UK. As Simon points out, the money raised by Race for Life is used to fund research into all cancer types – not just women’s cancers.
We fund research into nearly all types of cancer that affect both men and women – lung, bowel, breast, prostate, testicular, ovarian, skin… and many more. You can find out more about the research we fund on our Research Highlights pages: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerandresearch/ourcurrentresearch/
The “Join the fight for women’s survival” mailing is sent out only in September/October, to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month – a time when there is a national increase in breast cancer awareness and charity donations. Our mailing does also mention the fact that men can be affected by breast cancer as well, although it is rare. Throughout the rest of the year our mailings reflect cancers that affect both sexes, and it is inaccurate to suggest that one specific campaign mailing is representative of our entire fundraising efforts.
Over the years, our research has made an impact on survival from cancer for both men and women. For example, thanks in part to a drug called cisplatin, which we helped to develop, over 95 per cent of men with testicular cancer are successfully treated. Back in the 1970s this was only 70 per cent. And our work has contributed to 19 of the top 20 cancer drugs used to treat patients (men, women and children) today. You can read more about our progress here: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerandresearch/progress/
We are committed to beating cancer, regardless of the gender of the person affected. The important thing is that we continue to work towards finding new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent this disease.
Kat
September 29, 2009 at 9:41 pm
As March was “prostate cancer awareness” month, could CRUK not use that to raise awareness? Whenever I see campaigns for Cancer Research UK it is almost inevitably for breast cancer, which probably gives a perception to the average punter that is the only thing that matters. The supermarket we use, ASDA is the same, they go big on this “tickled pink” breast cancer campaign but that is about it. It is as if it is embarrasing and un-cool to talk about prostate cancer. I think CRUK, with their privileged position could do a bit more for male cancer awareness too, especially when you read the statistics above.
There is no screening in place for prostate cancer, so it is effectively pot-luck if it is caught in time. there are no self examinations that you can do etc. it’s still in the dark ages.
September 30, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hi Kat,
I must comment further to what I stated above on August 22nd and further to the first sentence of your recent comment, in which you state, inter-alia:’Cancer does not discriminate, and neither does Cancer Research UK’..I must disagree – again!!!
I agree, wholeheartedly, that ‘Cancer does not discriminate’ – but, must stress, ‘CRUK does discriminate, blatantly, against males’ – when there are 240 (female only) 5K Race for Life events organised throughout the UK for females and only one (1) 5K Run for Moore for males!!!
Further,I agree with Simon K, after considering that stated in a letter, dated 23rd August, 2005, from David Perry, Head of Legal, CRUK, to, the then, Equal Opportunity Commission, in which it states: ‘The overiding objective of Race for Life is to raise awareness and ultimately ‘funds for research into into “all forms of cancer”…However, the letter also states: ‘…the 5K (male only) Run for Moore, relates specifically to raising funds for ‘bowel cancer’… So, my conclusion is that females have 240 5K Race for Life events throughout the UK (to raise funds for all forms of cancer) – but males only have one (1) 5K Run for Moore event (to raise funds ‘only for bowel cancer). There are no 5K Run/Walk events for males to raise funds ‘for all forms of cancer’…That, in my opinion, is blatant discrimination…
I mentioned in my comment of 22nd August, that I was awaiting a response from Peter Meacham, Complaints Officer, CRUK. I have now received that reply – which astounded me. He stated, inter-alia:
‘We survey our Race for Life participants regularly and keep Race for Life a woman-only event (at their request)’…
I subsequently made Mr Meacham aware of the reference and detail of David Perry, Head of Legal, CRUK’s letter to the Equal Opportunity Commission .
Subsequently, I received a ‘phone call from a CRUK spokesman, indicating that some ‘5K Family Fund-Raising events’ will be organised next year and I would be kept informed by e mail. I am still awaiting formal confirmation from CRUK’s Support Centre…
Further background information can be found on Cancer Research UK Race for Life discussion board – under the heading:
Chapter 2 – What should Cancer Research UK do?
I trust we can now start working together and beat The Big C…TOGETHER – in accord with CRUK’s statement!!!