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.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
