Men 'more at risk of cancer'
Author: Simon Macsis
Category: Insurance
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Cancer is one of the biggest causes of death in the world and is thought to affect one in three people at some point.
However, new research has revealed that men are actually far more at risk of dying from the disease than women, which may boost the need for health insurance.
A new study conducted by Cancer Research UK shows that men are 40 per cent more likely to die from cancer than women and have a 16 per cent greater chance of developing the disease in the first place.
Furthermore, if variants such as breast cancer and other gender-specific forms of the condition were removed, the team found that men are 70 per cent more likely to die from the disease.
The results of the latest investigation are a surprise and may be cause for concern, according to one healthcare professional.
Alan White, professor of men's health at Leeds Metropolitan University, says the disease should affect men and women equally.
He says there are many lifestyle factors which may explain why mortality is higher for males than females.
"Men still have an increased level of smoking, an increased rate of obesity, and more men are overweight than women," Mr White explains.
The fact that men tend to put weight on around their mid-region also increases the likelihood of developing fat-related cancer, he states, which may boost the need for medical insurance.
In many instances, men may be less aware of the risks associated with the condition, and also the healthcare services available to them, the expert claims.
The Cancer Research study found that "stereotypical" male behaviour, such as down-playing important early symptoms, could be a possible explanation for the differences seen for some types of cancer, something Mr White agrees with.
"You also have the issue that nearly 14 million men are working full time. A lot of them work over 45 hours a week," he comments.
One solution to the problem of making men aware of the healthcare services is to take the help to them, rather than waiting for them to instigate it, he claims.
Such a process may bring cancer rates more in line with what researchers expected when they embarked on the report - more or less equal incidences between men and women.
"First of all we need to start recognising that there is an issue, because up to now it has not been recognised," the specialist concludes.
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Keywords: personal accident insurance, health cover
View Count: 182
Date Submitted: 7/2/2009
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