Men worldwide face a higher risk of cancer, including cancers not linked to biological sex. A study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that genetics alone cannot explain this disparity. After analyzing data from nearly 600,000 patients, researchers concluded that lifestyle factors account for much of the difference in cancer rates between men and women.
Researchers compare data from China and the UK
To identify the reasons behind the higher incidence of cancer among men, scientists conducted a statistical analysis using medical data from nearly 600,000 people in two countries with markedly different cultures and lifestyles: China and the United Kingdom.
The Chinese cohort included more than 134,000 residents of Shanghai, while the British cohort comprised more than 455,000 patients from 22 medical centers.
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The researchers examined 34 types of cancer that are not sex-specific, meaning they can affect both men and women. Their primary goal was to determine how much of the difference in cancer incidence could be attributed to biological factors and how much was associated with daily habits.
To do so, the scientists identified 11 modifiable risk factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary patterns and metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
Lifestyle factors account for much of the disparity
Participants were monitored for more than a decade. Researchers tracked their health outcomes using regional and national cancer registries. By comparing new cancer diagnoses with participants’ dietary and lifestyle factors, they were able to estimate what proportion of the difference in cancer incidence between men and women could be attributed to modifiable risk factors and what portion remained unexplained.
The study found that the leading risk factors differed between the two countries. In China, smoking and alcohol consumption posed the greatest risks, while obesity and diabetes were more significant factors in the UK.
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The findings suggest that cancer prevention strategies should be tailored to local conditions. The study’s authors argue that countries should develop prevention programs based on the specific lifestyle patterns and health risks prevalent among their populations.
