By Franklin Delgado
A recent study indicates that men undergo fewer genetic tests for inherited cancer syndromes compared to women, despite a higher likelihood of positive results.
This situation represents a problem in the surveillance and prediction of cancer risk among men.
The study, published in Frontiers in Oncologyreveals that, despite the lower number of tests performed, men have a positivity rate of 14% for pathogenic variants, compared to 8% in women. This suggests that many men are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease.
Men get tested after being diagnosed
Men are often referred for testing following a cancer diagnosis, while women are provided with more proactive referral routes through specific health services.
Additionally, the lack of specific testing guidelines for men contributes to lower use of these preventive tools.
The researchers suggest improving hereditary cancer risk assessment tools aimed at men, as well as increasing awareness among health professionals. Investing in this area could transform early detection rates and, consequently, male cancer health outcomes.
Risks associated with a late diagnosis
Late diagnosis of cancer in men increases the risk of disease progression, limits treatment options and reduces survival, especially in cancers such as prostate cancer. It can also require more aggressive treatments, cause more complications, and worsen quality of life.
Main risks
- Metastasis or spread. When cancer is detected late, it is more likely that it has already spread to other organs.
- Fewer healing options. In advanced stages, the opportunity to cure the disease may be lost and the goal becomes controlling it.
- More intensive treatments. The need for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or major surgeries usually increases, with longer recovery.
- Higher mortality. Detecting it late is associated with a worse prognosis and more deaths, as has been noted in prostate cancer.
- More pain and less quality of life. Advanced disease can cause persistent pain, functional limitation, and greater emotional impact.
In men, especially
In men, a major concern is prostate cancer, which may have no symptoms at first and be detected when it is already advanced. In this phase, signs such as difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or pain in the back, hip or pelvis usually appear.
Why it matters
Detecting cancer early changes the prognosis a lot: it allows for less invasive treatments, more chances of improving an eye on and, in some cases, cure. Therefore, if there are persistent symptoms or risk factors, it is advisable to seek early medical evaluation.
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