Skin cancer risk and gender
Researchers have long attributed higher skin cancer rates in men to higher rates of sun exposure. Holman et al (1984) discusses the confounding effect of different patterns of activity between men and women on cancer research. Interestingly, Jason Rivers (2004) points out that outdoor workers seem to have a lowered risk of melanoma than indoor workers, suggesting a protective effect from routine sun exposure.
Tatiana M. Oberyszyn, of Ohio State University, has another theory about gender differences in skin cancer incidence. Results from Oberyszyn's mouse study (published in the April 1st issue of Cancer Research) suggest that males may simply be at higher risk for the disease. Oberyszyn's interview with WebMD.com (2007) attributes the difference to antioxidants: "The male skin cells carried fewer antioxidants than the female skin cells."
Other risk factors for non-melanoma skin cancers include blue eyes, fair skin, and a tendency to burn or freckle rather than tan. In other words: yours truly. I wasn't able to find any connections in the literature between hormone levels and skin anti-oxidants, but I probably should be wearing SPF 30 on a daily basis anyway. Most of the research on antioxidants in the skin appears to be focusing on whether topical antioxidant use (such as in moisturizers) is useful (inconclusive).
Tatiana M. Oberyszyn, of Ohio State University, has another theory about gender differences in skin cancer incidence. Results from Oberyszyn's mouse study (published in the April 1st issue of Cancer Research) suggest that males may simply be at higher risk for the disease. Oberyszyn's interview with WebMD.com (2007) attributes the difference to antioxidants: "The male skin cells carried fewer antioxidants than the female skin cells."
Other risk factors for non-melanoma skin cancers include blue eyes, fair skin, and a tendency to burn or freckle rather than tan. In other words: yours truly. I wasn't able to find any connections in the literature between hormone levels and skin anti-oxidants, but I probably should be wearing SPF 30 on a daily basis anyway. Most of the research on antioxidants in the skin appears to be focusing on whether topical antioxidant use (such as in moisturizers) is useful (inconclusive).