Men at greater risk of cancer due to lifestyle

Men are more likely than woman to die from all types of cancer, mainly because of higher smoking rates, heavier drinking, poorer diets, less exercise, and obesity.

However, an Irish Cancer Society report also warned that late diagnosis was also playing a part.

A study for the charity found that men have higher incidence rates of cancers, including colorectal or bowel cancer, lung, bladder, and stomach. In some cases three times as many men suffer these diseases.

It found melanoma of the skin has higher rates among women but that men are still more likely to die from it.

Noel Richardson, director of the Centre for Men’s Health at Carlow IT which compiled the report to mark Men’s Health Week, said lifestyle factors need to be addressed.

“The publication of [the] report gives a solid evidence base for what action needs to be taken by both policy makers and service providers so they can engage more effectively with all men, to improve health and wellbeing, and to bring down the incidence of cancer and the number of men dying from cancer,” he said.

Among the findings were:

*Projections indicate that by 2035, the number of invasive cancers will increase by 213%, or 7% a year, for men compared with 165%, or 6% a year, for women;

*Bowel cancer rates are 66.53 per 100,000 men compared with 41.4 in females. Men are also 1.8 times more likely to die from it;

*Men are 1.64 times more at risk of lung cancer, with the rate increasing to 1.8 times in those aged 65 and over. Men’s risk of death is 16% higher than women;

*Men are three times more likely to get bladder cancer;

*Between 2006 and 2008, skin cancer rates for women were as high as 17.32 per 100,000 compared with 15.95 for men, but men are 1.6 times more likely to die.

Overall death rates in men ranged from 1.6 times to 2.7 times the rate for women.

The cancer society said the message for men is to know the value of good health, understand risks, and look out for warning signs.