It’s generally known that exposing pale skin to the harmful UV rays of the sun (or tanning beds) can cause melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer. But what may come as a surprise is that men die of the condition at a significantly higher rate than women. That’s the finding of a study from the University of Leeds in Great Britain, which determined that while two women per 100,000 die of melanoma each year, the figure for men jumps to 3.4 per 100,000. Additionally, despite similar rates of diagnosis, mortality rates are 70 percent higher for more advanced forms of cancer in men than women.
According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 35,436 men are diagnosed with melanoma in the U.S. each year, compared with 26,210 women. Of these, nearly 6,000 men die from the cancer, as opposed to 3,200 women. The researchers found that while women tend to develop cancerous spots on their arms and legs, men are more prone to get it on their backs and chests. Men are also more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced stages of the disease.
While sun exposure damages cells, which can lead to melanoma, it can be prevented using sun block. Of greater concern to doctors are the number of people who soak in harmful rays in tanning beds, where tanning for people under 35 can increase melanoma risk by 60 percent.
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Sourced from: Medical News Today, Melanoma death risk much higher in men