By Dr Loizos G. Loizou, Well.cy
One question I am frequently asked by parents, healthcare professionals and society at large is whether there are differences between boys and girls in the incidence of cancer.
Until recently, Cyprus lacked detailed, long-term, population-based data that could provide an evidence-based answer to this question.
For the first time, a national population-based study covering a 20-year period, which I conducted in collaboration with the excellent Health Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Health, sheds light on an issue of particular scientific and social importance.
What we studied
The study was based on data from the Cyprus Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Population Registry and covered all children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 who were diagnosed with cancer between 1998 and 2017.
The aim of the analysis was not to investigate causes, but to accurately document epidemiological patterns:
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How many boys and how many girls develop cancer.
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Whether differences exist between age groups.
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Whether these patterns change over time.
What the results showed
Overall, the study found a slight predominance of boys over girls in the incidence of cancer during childhood and adolescence.
The difference is small and applies to all cancers combined, rather than to every type of cancer individually.
However, a more detailed analysis revealed some interesting variations:
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In certain cancer categories, girls have a relatively higher incidence, particularly during adolescence.
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Thyroid cancer is a notable example, as it occurs more frequently in girls, especially those aged 15 to 19.
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Conversely, other cancer categories show a slightly higher incidence among boys.
It is important to stress that these differences are small and do not relate to individual prognosis or the likelihood of recovery.
What these findings mean and what they do not mean
These results do not mean that:
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Boys or girls face a greater risk in their everyday lives.
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There is any reason for concern about either sex.
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We know the reasons behind these small differences.
Instead, they show that:
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Cancer in childhood and adolescence is a complex disease.
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Epidemiological patterns vary according to age and cancer type.
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Continuous, systematic population-level monitoring is necessary.
The public health message
The most important message from this study is that:
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Early recognition of symptoms is important for both boys and girls.
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National cancer registries are essential for the proper planning of healthcare services.
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Evidence-based knowledge helps reduce fear, myths and misinformation.
Cyprus now has reliable data on childhood and adolescent cancer. This knowledge belongs not only to the scientific community, but also to society as a whole.
The findings are based on the results of a population-based scientific study and are presented descriptively, without interpretations or explanations of causation. Investigating the possible causes and mechanisms is the subject of further research that is already underway.
Dr Loizos G. Loizou, Professor of Medicine, President of the ELPIDA Foundation for Children with Cancer and Leukemia; Professor at the University of Nicosia Medical School; Head of the AHEPA Cyprus International Childhood Cancer Action Plan; Global Health Ambassador for SIOP Europe; Ambassador for Children with Cancer; Paediatrician and Paediatric Oncologist/Haematologist (Nancy, France).
DSc (Hons) | PhD (Cand., Newcastle, UK) | MD (ULB, Brussels, Belgium) | Diploma in Preventive Paediatrics (Strasbourg, France). Former Director of the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Clinic at Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, Nicosia.
Tel: 99 660 662 | Email: hl@cytanet.com.cy; loizou.lo@unic.ac.cy | X: @DrLoizos | Facebook: DrLoizou | LinkedIn: Dr Loizou
