Is skin cancer more common among men or women?

It’s no secret that skin cancer is among the most common cancers worldwide. Look no further than the World Health Organization and you’ll see that non-melanoma made the list of top five cancers globally in 2020, exceeding one million cases in that year alone.

But why is the disease more common in men than women?

Skin cancer comes in three main forms: the first two – basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma – are referred to as non-melanoma skin cancers. The third – melanoma – is considered the most serious form of the disease.

In Australia, the Cancer Council’s Chair of the Skin Cancer Committee, Paige Preston, explains, “the risk of being diagnosed with melanoma by the age of 85 is one in 13 for men compared to one in 21 for women.”

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin cancer gender disparity increases with age. By the age of 65, men are twice as likely as women of the same age to get melanoma. “By age 80, men are three times more likely than women in that age group to develop melanoma.” And when men, of any age, develop melanoma they have a greater chance of dying from it than women, adds the AAD.

What’s to blame?

Differing attitudes to sun protection may partly explain the disparity.

According to Preston, “evidence shows that men can be more complacent about their sun protection, despite knowing the dangers of sun exposure.”

In addition to applying sunscreen more often than men, many women use cosmetics that offer some level of sun protection, the AAD states.

Women also typically spend less time outdoors, adds Preston.

The most intriguing reason has to do with women’s skin itself which, explains the AAD, differs from men’s. It says men have thicker skin with less fat beneath. It also “contains more collagen and elastin, fibers that give the skin firmness and keep it tight. Research shows these differences make men’s skin more likely to be damaged by the sun’s ultraviolet rays,” the AAD adds.

But detection could be the main reason. According to skin cancer detection service MoleMap, women are more vigilant with their skin, while men are also less likely to see a doctor about the discovery of suspicious skin lesions or moles.

“When caught and treated early, skin cancers are highly curable,” says Dr Sally Phillips, Chief Product and Proposition Officer at LiveWell. “If you notice anything new, changing or unusual then you should get it checked by a doctor or dermatologist right away. Early detection saves lives.”

Lowering your risk

Both men and women can minimize their risk of skin cancer by adhering to sun protection measures during sun protection times. According to Preston, this means:

• Wearing protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Applying SPF30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.
• Donning a broad-brimmed hat that shades the face, ears and neck.
• Seeking shade.
• Wearing UV protective sunglasses.

“More than 95 percent of all skin cancers are preventable, so it’s important that both men and women use sun protection to prevent sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer,” says Preston.

Insights from LiveWell

Learn more about LiveWell at https://livewell.zurich.com