Men and cancer: the gender dimension

Cancer affects more men than women; evidence shows that men are almost 40%more likely than women to die from cancer (Men's Health Forum, 2009). The three cancers that only affect men are penile, prostate and testicular cancers, with prostate cancer being the most common of all cancers in men. This article provides an overview of the health of men in the UK from a male cancer perspective. It suggests that gender is a significant determinant of health status, and that the nurse must take this into account when providing health services and when planning and devising strategy and policy. There are complexities and inter-relationships between gender and social class, ethnicity, disability, sexuality and age that are associated with male health. Ways in which the challenges faced by men and ways in which men access health services are discussed. Further research is needed to address this important healthcare issue.