New cancer guide challenges unhealthy males

High male cancer rates are down to our unhealthy lifestyles according to a leading world cancer expert.

Dr Rachel Thompson, Deputy Head of Science for World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), right, said it is 'not inevitable' that men in England are 14% more likely to develop cancer than women. Responding to surveys suggesting that men are less aware than women of the effect lifestyle factors such as diet and alcohol have on cancer, the WCRF have produced a Men’s Health Guide.

Dr Thompson said: 'Men have higher rates of many diseases than women so it might sometimes seem like this is just a fact of life.

'But while it is true that there are some biological reasons for the difference, we need to get across the message that the higher rates of cancer in men are not inevitable.'

Simple changes reduce risk

'By making relatively simple lifestyle changes such as eating more fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight and cutting down on alcohol, men can make a real difference to their cancer risk. But it is a concern that as well as having, on average, less healthy habits than women, men are also less aware of the potential consequences of these habits. This is because unless they are aware of how cancer can be prevented, they are not in a position to make their own informed choices.'

She added: “Each year nearly 150,000 men are diagnosed with cancer. By making lifestyle changes many thousands of cases of cancer in men could be prevented.”

The Men’s Health Guide includes information about risk factors, the most common types of cancer in men and practical advice on making healthy changes, including activity ideas and recipes.