Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 8: A new study has found that men are significantly more likely than women to be diagnosed with cancer after it has already spread beyond its original site, highlighting the need for greater awareness, timely screening and early medical intervention.

The findings, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), suggest that delayed diagnosis—not biological differences—may contribute to poorer cancer outcomes among men.

Researchers analysed cancer cases in the United States between 2015 and 2022, covering 20 non-reproductive solid cancers. The study found that men were more likely to receive a diagnosis after the disease had spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes (regional stage) or to distant organs (distant stage), when treatment becomes more challenging.

For 16 of the 20 cancer types, men had higher odds of being diagnosed at the regional stage, while 17 cancer types showed a greater likelihood of men being diagnosed after the cancer had spread to distant organs.

Lead author Beth Maclin, a postdoctoral fellow at the US National Cancer Institute, said understanding these differences could help explain why men experience higher cancer-related mortality.

"We know that, overall, males are more likely than females to die from many types of cancer. We also know that cancer stage at diagnosis is a key predictor of cancer survival," Maclin said.

The study identified the largest differences in cancers of the tongue, salivary gland, thyroid, stomach and oropharynx. Men were found to be 151 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with regional-stage tongue cancer and 134 per cent more likely to receive a diagnosis after the disease had spread to distant organs.

Researchers suggested that the disparity could be linked to lower participation by men in routine health check-ups, delays in seeking medical attention after symptoms appear, differences in cancer screening opportunities and possible variations in how symptoms are assessed by healthcare professionals.

Maclin noted that women generally have more frequent interactions with healthcare providers through preventive services, which may increase the likelihood of cancers being detected at an earlier stage.

However, the researchers also found exceptions. Men were less likely than women to receive late-stage diagnoses for certain cancers, including bladder, laryngeal, anal and liver cancers.

The researchers stressed that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve cancer outcomes, urging people to undergo regular health check-ups, be alert to unusual symptoms and seek prompt medical advice when needed.