Why Men Get Skin Cancer More Often Than Women

Mother Nature is off the hook! For years doctors have thought that a more outdoor lifestyle is the reason that men are two to three times more likely than women to contract skin cancer. Turns out they're wrong. Ohio State University researchers say the real reason may be biochemical differences between men and women.

In studies on mice, OSU researchers found that female mice have four times as many cancer-fighting antioxidants in their skin as males. Now, of course, men are not mice, but we share enough genetic similarities with our furry friends to make slathering on the sunscreen, even in the winter, a good idea.

"If you have lower defense mechanisms in the skin to begin with, that contributes to more damage in the skin and over time to more tumor development," said Tatiana Oberyszyn, cancer specialist and lead researcher on the project. "If you think of antioxidants as a protective force, then males have a lot less ammunition to protect themselves."

Men should use a skin cream or gel that contains antioxidant vitamins, preferably A, C and E, recommends Dr. Jennifer Linder, a skin cancer surgeon. "Applying antioxidants topically does decrease damage done by the sun," she said. Sunscreen of at least strength level 15 should also be used when outdoors.

In addition to lower antioxidant levels, male mice showed greater DNA damage in skin cells when exposed to UVB light, the wavelength that causes most skin damage. They also exhibited a weaker inflammatory response to sun damage which, if it carries over to humans, means men might not receive body cues (sunburn, pain) to get out of the sun.

While research continues, it's safe to say, better safe than sorry. So next time you go outside for a walk, slather on the sunscreen and start using an antioxidant body cream daily.