Are Men at Higher Risk for Skin Cancer?
At one time skin cancer was more likely to be a woman’s disease. After all, many more women sunbath then men. Women worry more about how they look and trying to be attractive they will spend more time sunbathing and tanning. A least that’s what everyone thought. Recent studies are showing some surprising results when it comes to skin cancer rates and who’s affected.
The rates of men developing skin cancer are rising steadily. They have increased by twelve percent in the last six years. The rise for women has only been two percent over the same period of time. With men the skin cancer is often found on their backs, a difficult place to see changes if you’re not looking for them. Men are less likely to do a self-examination and so less likely to find these abnormal moles. Another reason for them developing on the back is that when men work outside without tops on they are often working with their backs to the sun. Based on the obvious physical differences between men and women you will very often see a man working outside topless while woman do not. Consider summer jobs like lawn mowing, exterior house painting or making their own car repairs. Studies also report that, surprisingly, men over forty are outside more than their younger counterparts.
Recent studies have reported that forty four percent of men over fifty are developing skin cancer. Of this group, ninety seven percent are Caucasian. Of that group thirty seven percent were fair skinned. Twenty eight percent of them had a family history of skin cancer. While thirty three percent had a history of having moles that had changed in appearance before. Some of the reasons blamed for these dramatic increases in skin cancer in men include travel, an increase in summer sports including water sports, soccer and basketball, and a reflection of more convertibles on the street. Another reason is that although they will often wear hats in the sun, mainly for appearance, they are less likely to use sunscreens.
African Americans are far less likely to develop skin cancer and when they do its usually on the soles of the feet or palms of their hands. This shows that the sun’s rays are unlikely to be the cause of these cancers. So far they do not seem to have the answers to what does. Oddly, African Americans have a higher mortality rate despite the lower risk.
Men have a poorer prospect for recovery than women. Survival rates are not great unless the cancer is discovered early. On the other hand if it is discovered early the recovery rate is quite good. Doctors feel that one of the biggest problems with men and skin cancer, though studies show its men and any health problem, is the male reluctance to go to their health care provider when a problem is found. Delays in seeing the doctor when you have a suspicious mole can make the difference between a cure and death.
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