Men are 20% more at risk of developing cancer during their lifetime compared to women. The double X chromosome protects the fairer sex.
In 2015, cancer affected more men than women. 211,000 cases were reported among men against 174,000 among representatives of the female sex. A clear imbalance, but not surprising. These gentlemen are 20% more at risk of a tumor than the ladies. This disadvantage could be explained by genetics, argue researchers from the Dana-Farber cancer center (Boston, United States) in Nature Genetics. In question: the X chromosome, represented twice in women.
Bladder, ENT sphere, kidney … here are some locations of cancer that more often affect men. In some cases, they are 80% more at risk than their peers. In the United States, “this translates into 150,000 additional cases each year,” said Andrew Lane, co-author of this work. His team therefore tried to explain these inequalities. It drew on previous research, carried out on patients with leukemia. A mutation in the KDM6 gene has been demonstrated. It is located on the X chromosome.
Protective genes
Here, 4000 tumor samples were analyzed. Among the genetic mutations identified, 800 are found only on the X chromosome, of which women have a duplicate. 6 changes occur more frequently in humans. This is the case for KDM6, which is also found in head and neck cancers. These ladies have a clear advantage: redundant genes tend to be inactivated. In women, the protective genes make it possible to fight effectively against the tumor.
This explains the imbalance between men and women. But other factors come into play, including lifestyle. Men are exposed to more risk factors. They tend to smoke more – even if the gap is closed. Occupational exposures to chemicals are also higher, among construction workers for example.
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