A major international study led by Australian researchers has confirmed that while women have a lower risk of death from cancer, they face a significantly higher risk of experiencing severe, life-altering side effects from treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Oncology, analyzed data from over 200,000 patients across 23 countries.
The research, presented at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, found that women were up to 34% more likely than men to suffer severe adverse events during cancer treatment. These events include conditions like severe nausea, low blood cell counts, nerve damage, and hair loss, which can drastically impact quality of life and sometimes force treatment delays or changes.
Scientists suggest biological differences, such as body composition, metabolism, and hormonal factors, may explain the disparity in treatment toxicity. The study's authors emphasize the urgent need for more personalized, sex-specific treatment protocols to improve outcomes and quality of life for all cancer patients.
