Men at higher risk of skin cancer. Why?
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, US, 97,610 cases of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2023. Of those, 58,120 will be men and 39,490 will be women. Further, of the 7,990 people who will die of melanoma, 5,420 will be men, which is higher than the number for women.
So what is it that puts men at a higher risk of skin cancer as well as death from melanoma? There are several reasons. Read on to learn more.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma develops in the cells that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its color. Melanoma can also form in your eyes and, rarely, in your nose or throat. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight increases your risk of developing melanoma.
What makes men more vulnerable to melanoma?
There are several possible factors which show men are more vulnerable to melanoma risk, compared to women.
According to some studies, men’s skin may not retain antioxidants the way women’s skin does. This could heighten skin cancer risk. Some studies also suggest that women’s higher estrogen levels may offer skin protection.
Apart from biological factors, men’s attitude towards sun protection is also at fault, notes dermatologists. Surveys show that men know less about skin cancer risks than women and are less likely to use sunscreen.
Sunscreen is not a feminine product
“About half of women say they regularly use sunscreen when they’re spending time outdoors on a sunny day whereas only about a quarter of men say they do,” The Washington Post quotes Dawn M. Holman, a behavioral scientist with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “And more than 40 percent of men say they never use sunscreen when they’re out in the sun.”
“Some men may actually see sunscreen use as more of a feminine behavior,” Holman adds.
Avoid sunburns
Sunburn is one of the biggest risk factors for melanoma. In fact, a sunburn you got in your teens could be responsible for the skin cancer you develop in your 50s. It is essential to protect your skin from sunburns at all costs.
Read more: Cardiologist explains why so many young people are dying of heart issues
ABCDE guide of identifying melanoma
Being aware of the following signs of lesions or moles on your skin can help in early detection of melanoma:
- Asymmetry: A melanoma lesion is usually oddly shaped
- Border: The border is usually irregular
- Color: It has varying color
- Diameter: It is usually around 6 millimeters wide
- Evolving: It changes quickly on the skin