Deadly Skin Cancer Kills More Men than Women, Study

Malignant melanoma kills more men than women despite both having the same rate of cancer diagnosis, a new study reported. Researchers said that the death rate for men with melanoma was 70 percent higher than the death rate for women.

The study was conducted by researchers at Cancer Research UK and the University of Leeds. The team found that the cancer incidence was similar for both groups; 17.2 men per 100,000 diagnosed compared with 17.3 women, but men had a death rate of 3.4 men per 100,000 compared with 2.0 women per 100,000.

According to National Cancer Institute, an estimated 76,690 new cases will be reported this year in the U.S. and almost more than 9000 people will die from the cancer. Melanoma occurs as a mole on skin but can occur in the eye and intestines also. The cancer affects the skin cells called melanocytes.

Researchers in the present study said that the gap between death rate seen between females and males is likely to increase in the future.

"Research has suggested the difference between the sexes could be in part because men are more likely to be diagnosed when melanoma is at a more advanced stage. But there also seem to be strong biological reasons behind the differences and we're working on research to better understand why men and women's bodies deal with their melanomas in different ways," Professor Julia Newton-Bishop from the University of Leeds said in a news release.

"We also know that men and women tend to develop melanoma in different places - more often on the back and chest for men and on the arms and legs for women. If melanoma does develop on your back then it may be more difficult to spot - asking your partner to check your back is a good idea," she added.

According to Medline Plus, melanoma can be cured if detected early. Protecting skin from sun-burns can prevent occurrence of the cancer. Experts say that use of tanning beds drastically increases chances of skin cancer.

Melanoma is best cured in its earliest stages, says Medline Plus. When melanoma is left untreated, the cancer cells move down from the skin and spread to other parts of the body making treatment difficult.

Avoiding sunburns and using a good sunscreen with at least SPF15 and good UVA protection can lower the risk of skin cancer.