Not an equal opportunity disease - a sex and gender-based review of colorectal cancer in men and women: Part I

This paper reviews the literature on colorectal cancer from a sex and gender-based perspective. Colorectal cancer is a major cause of death in the developed world, with rates increasing in developing countries. Although described by some writers as an 'equal opportunity' disease, it presents more risk to men than women. Both biological, or sex-linked factors, and gender-linked factors play a part in the aetiology of the disease, while gender differences in the use of screening and treatment also help shape the mortality gap between women and men for this condition. Without an appreciation of the part played by sex and gender in the risk of colorectal cancer, and without a gender-sensitive approach to screening in particular, it is possible that the mortality gap between men and women for this condition will widen in the future.