Males have a 20 percent higher risk of cancer than females and part of the reason might be genetic. A study by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital suggests that females carry an extra copy of protective genes in their cells. These protective genes reside on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes and men have one. If the protective gene mutates, causing uncontrolled cell division, cancer could develop. In females, protective genes on each X chromosome would have to mutate to cause cancer. Males have only one X chromosome so only one mutation could cause cancer.
According to Duke Medicine, this study could lead to new gender-based cancer treatments focused on the molecular mechanism for disease.
