Men are more vulnerable to skin cancer

Posted 20/08/2013

Cancer Research has revealed that many more men die from melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) than women.  Every year about 900 women die from malignant melanoma compared to about 1,300 men.  It is thought that the gap between fatalities for men and women from this condition will widen in the future.Various possible explanations have been offered.  It is thought that men are more inclined to delay seeking help than women, either because they are not so alert to the dangers or possibly because in men it is more likely to develop on their back rather than their legs and arms where women are more likely to get it.  A man may not be aware of the growth on their back for some time and it is suggested that partners check each other’s back on a regular basis.  Another suggestion is that a man’s immune system may be less capable of responding to this growth than a woman’s since they do less well stage for stage after diagnosis. Since the early 1970s the incidence of melanoma has increased as has the death rate and male incidence of the disease is now more than five times higher than it was 30 years ago.Trefine Maynard, a clinical negligence solicitor at Ashtons Legal, comments: “This hideous disease is largely preventable.  The use of a suitable sun screen or avoiding exposure to the sun will enormously reduce the chances of contracting skin cancers.  Early treatment of any skin cancer but particularly melanoma increases the chances of successful treatment.  We know from clients for whom we have acted that it is not just the public who need to be alert to the dangers of this disease.  Medical practitioners also need to be very aware of all the warning signs in their patients and the need to respond quickly. 

It is far better to refer on for a specialist opinion at an early stage than to miss the diagnosis because it is thought to be an innocent wart.  We have acted for a number of people who have had far more extensive treatment than might have been required had their melanoma been picked up earlier and who as a result live under the threat of a higher chance of recurrence as a result of late diagnosis.  There has been so much publicity about the dangers of over exposure to the sun or to UV rays and yet it seems all too often that the advice is ignored.  Prevention is always better than cure particularly where cure may not be achievable”.