Although incidence rates have declined 2% each year since the mid-2000s, lung cancer continues to rank as the second most common and most deadly cancer, with a greater impact on men.
There are some discrepancies between men and women who have lung cancer. Men often have a higher risk of developing different cancers, are more likely to have a lifestyle that increases their risks, and face a more difficult diagnosis and treatment.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology predicted that by 2021 there would be 235,760 new diagnoses (119,100 men and 116,660 women) in the U.S. This was for both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.
Here are some of how lung cancer affects men and women differently and some reasons why that might be.
Men are More Likely to Smoke
We all know that smoking can cause severe damage to your lungs. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of cancer regardless of sex.
The toxins and carcinogens within one cigarette poison the cell’s DNA by damaging or changing its function and growth. About 9 in 10 lung cancer deaths occur because of a history of cigarette smoking, first or second-hand.
Data proves that men are more likely to smoke than women. There were 13.6% of women who smoked in contrast to 16.7% of men in a 2015 report.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse found that “men tend to use all tobacco products at higher rates than women.” This could be correlated with physiology and cultural behavior norms.
There is even some evidence that smoking may trigger men’s reward pathways stronger than women’s. This finding supports other results that suggest men smoke to reinforce the effects of nicotine. In contrast, women smoke to improve mood or for social reasons.
Outcomes are Poorer for Men
For many prognoses, doctors may provide patients with a 5-year survival rate. This gives statistical data for “what percent of people live at least 5 years after the cancer is found.”The average 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is 21%. Men have a lower survival rate at 17% than women at 24%.
Every diagnosis is subject to individual factors, such as:
- Age
- Family history
- Lifestyle
- Environment
This is partly attributable to the smoking patterns in men and gender-normative standards. An online survey from the Cleveland Clinic studied 1,174 U.S. men and their avoidance of seeing a doctor. They observed around 72% of men prefer completing household chores over going to the doctor.
A whopping 77% chose shopping with their significant other. In addition, 20% of men acknowledged withholding vital health information from their doctor.
These percentages continue to reveal the unhealthy patterns and beliefs that adversely affect men. From an early age, 41% of men were told that their health issues were unimportant and not something to fixate on. Only 50% of men participate in preventative health care.
Cancer screenings are essential to catching lung cancer before it progresses and becomes untreatable. Because of this, men are less likely to seek medical attention when they begin to have symptoms of lung cancer. This can disproportionately impact the care and treatment for men.
Occupational Hazards Bring Different Risks
The career paths that may be male-dominated can also be a risk for developing lung cancer. In fact, “[w]orkplace exposures are well-known risk factors for lung cancer. A recent review noted that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has found ‘sufficient evidence’ that…occupational agents can cause lung cancer in humans.” Two key factors played into the risks for work-related lung cancer. This includes the level and duration of exposure to any carcinogens and the worker’s smoking history.
The following is a list of some of these toxins and chemicals workers should be aware of:
- Asbestos
- Beryllium and beryllium compounds
- Silica dust
- Welding fumes
- Nickel compounds
- Particulate matter in outdoor air pollution
- Soot
- Engine exhaust, diesel
- Arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds
Many of these advance the stages and severity of lung cancer, but a one-time exposure can lead to symptoms for some. Asbestos is a mineral made up of microscopic fibers which latch onto internal organs, leading to mesothelioma.
While there are other types of mesothelioma depending on where the asbestos fibers settle, 80-90% of cases are pleural mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the lungs. This cancer occurs more often in men because they’re more likely to have a job that would expose them to asbestos.
Silica dust is another workplace hazard that can cause severe lung damage. Similar to asbestos, silica can permanently lodge into the lungs when inhaled. The scarring and inflammation can increase the risk of lung cancer and silicosis.
This incurable disease results in a stiffening of the lungs. Approximately 2.3 million workers are exposed to silica dust in the construction, engineering, and mining industries.
Lung Cancer Preventive Measures
The best course of action to prevent lung cancer is to reduce or eliminate exposures to occupational carcinogens for these work-related exposures. Protective equipment, clothing, goggles, respiratory masks, and safety enforcements from your workplace can be tools and resources for health standards and protection on site.
Men’s health is at the center of lung cancer awareness, especially after acknowledging how they may be prone to this disease. Paying attention to lifestyle choices, smoking habits, gender-normative biases and tendencies, and occupational exposure risks can be informing and help you live longer.
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