Colorectal Cancer: Analyzing How Sex and Gender Interact

The Challenge

Women have a higher risk than men of developing right-sided (proximal) colon cancer (Pal et al., 2010), which is associated with more aggressive forms of neoplasia compared to left-sided (distal) colon cancer (Hansen et al., 2012). Women are also prone to delayed diagnosis due to physiological and pathological differences in colon and colonic neoplasia, respectively. Despite sex- and gender-associated differences in nutrient metabolism and dietary practices, few studies have reported sex- and gender-specific risk estimates for dietary components.

Method: Analyzing How Sex and Gender Interact

Sex-related biological factors and gender-specific dietary choices influence segment-specific colon tumor formation. Collecting, reporting, and analyzing data by sex and gender is important for:

  1. identifying genetic, anatomical, and physiological factors in men’s and women’s disease
  2. applying an understanding of these factors when developing screening protocols
  3. examining dietary factors and behaviors that influence cancer

Gendered Innovations:

  1. Understanding Sex-Related Differences in Colorectal Cancer Risk may provide better prevention and treatment protocols for men and for women.
  2. Providing Strategies for Sex- and Gender-Specific Screening Protocols may address issues associated with delays in colorectal cancer diagnosis.
  3. Determining Gender-Specific Associations between Dietary Factors and Colorectal Cancer may lead to better cancer prevention guidelines.