A recent study found that men are more likely to die from cancer than women, which may partly be explained by differences in diagnosis stage. Men had a higher likelihood than women for late-stage diagnosis of 20 different types of cancer, data from a national registry network showed. Cancers where men had a higher odds for both regional and distant metastasis at diagnosis included several cancers of the head and neck, melanoma, and gastric, lung, thyroid, and kidney cancers, among others. Men were significantly less likely to have regional-stage diagnoses for larynx and bladder cancers and significantly less likely to have distant metastasis at diagnosis for bladder, anal, and liver cancers.
The analysis of 30 nonreproductive organ cancers showed men had higher odds ratios for regional or distant metastasis at diagnosis in two-thirds of the cancer types. Men had a significantly higher risk of regional spread at diagnosis for 16 cancers and distant metastasis for 17. The largest male/female disparity was for tongue, thyroid, and salivary gland cancers, as later-stage diagnosis occurred twice as often. Only for bladder cancer did men have significantly lower odds of later-stage diagnosis (for both regional and distant spread).
The analysis included 2,401,772 patients, and men accounted for 56.9% of the study population. About 45% of cancers were localized at diagnosis. The most commonly diagnosed cancers in men were lung (20.3%), colon (15.7%), and bladder (11.1%), as compared with lung (26%), colon (18.2%), and thyroid (9.8%) in women.
The study’s authors concluded: “The findings of this study underscore pronounced and site-specific sex differences in cancer stage at diagnosis, suggesting the need for targeted strategies for early detection and intervention. Additional studies are warranted to investigate the underlying causes of these stage differences in order to inform future interventions focused on reducing diagnostic delays, particularly for males.”
An oncologist not involved with the study stated: “The disparity is likely driven by a combination of biological, behavioral, and healthcare utilization factors. Men are generally less likely to have regular interactions with the healthcare system, are less likely to establish ongoing primary care relationships, and often delay seeking medical evaluation. Traditional gender norms may also contribute, with many men underestimating risk or postponing preventive care until symptoms arise. Practical barriers such as work schedules and access to care also play a role. Improving participation will require making prevention more personalized, easier to access, and more clearly connected to an individual’s actual risk rather than relying solely on age-based recommendations.”
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