Gender differences in cancer epidemiology in Italy, 2013–2017

Gender differences in cancer burden have been consistently reported worldwide, with men exhibiting higher incidence and mortality rates for most non-sex-specific cancers. However, the extent and patterns of these disparities across cancer sites, age groups, and geographical regions in Italy remain poorly investigated. We analysed data from population-based cancer registries belonging to the AIRTUM network, including 1359,053 cancer cases diagnosed between 2013 and 2017, overall and stratified by age group (0-49, 50-69, ≥70 years) and by geographic macro-areas (North, Centre, South & Islands). Differences in five-year net survival between men and women were also assessed. Overall, cancer incidence was markedly higher in men (male-to-female incidence rate ratio [M/F IRR] 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38-1.39), and this gap increased when excluding breast cancer (M/F IRR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.89-1.90). Male predominance was observed in 29 of 30 sites, most notably laryngeal (M/F IRR = 8.74; 95% CI: 8.31-9.19), bladder (5.23; 95% CI: 5.15-5.32), mesothelioma (3.60; 95% CI: 3.40-3.82), and lung (2.92; 95% CI: 2.89-2.95) cancers, while thyroid cancer was more common in women (0.37; 95% CI: 0.36-0.38). Incidence gender gaps were greater in the South & Islands than in the North and Centre. Women showed higher five-year survival rates than men for most major cancers, including colorectal and lung. In Italy, men bear a substantially higher cancer burden than women, with significant geographical variability, while women consistently achieve better survival outcomes. Biological, behavioural, and sociocultural factors likely contribute to these differences. Addressing these disparities requires incorporating a gender perspective into cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.

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Journal
Cancer Epidemiology
Published
2026-03-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2026.103057
Primary Topic
Sex and Gender in Healthcare
Type
article
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article

Gender differences in cancer epidemiology in Italy, 2013–2017

Cinzia Gasparotti, Giovanna Tagliabue, Anna Clara Fanetti, Sabrina Fabiano et al.
Cancer Epidemiology
Sex and Gender in Healthcare
article

Gender differences in cancer epidemiology in Italy, 2013–2017

Cinzia Gasparotti, Giovanna Tagliabue, Anna Clara Fanetti, Sabrina Fabiano, Lucia Bisceglia, Lorenzo Richiardi, Paola Michelozzi, William Mantovani, Maurizio Castelli, Francesco Vitale, Antonino Ziino Colanino, Daniela Piras, Maria Teresa Pesce, Valerio Ciullo, Domenico De Francesco, Stefano Guzzinati, Roberta Cerruti, Monica Lanzoni, Luciana Del Riccio, Luca Cavalieri d’Oro, T. Scuderi, Rita Mannino, Concetta Patrizia Rollo, Maurizio Zarcone, Eliana Ferroni, Adele Caldarella, Eleonora Salamone, Giuseppe Sampietro, Rossella Abbate, Francesca Bella, Santo Fruscione, Maria Letizia Gambino, Anna Maria Verri, Maria Francesca Vitale, Pasquala Pinna, Sonia Manasse, Santa Valenti Clemente, Ermelinda Zollo, Rocco Galasso, Romina Vincenzi, Valerio Napolioni, Giuseppa Candela, Luca Boni, Federica Manzoni, Fabrizio Stracci, Eugenia Spata, Viviana Perotti, Paolo Contiero, Giancarlo D’Orsi, Francesco Esposito, Lara Sbrana, Andrea Tittarelli, Walter Mazzucco, Luigino Dal Maso, Nadia Maria Di Pascale, Maria A. Gentilini, Federica Toffolutti, Margherita Ferrante, Rosalba Amodio, Rosanna Ortolani, Rossella Cavallo, Marco Villa, Aurora Argiolas, Camilla Gobetta, Andreina Zanchi, Enrica Migliore
article en

Abstract

Gender differences in cancer burden have been consistently reported worldwide, with men exhibiting higher incidence and mortality rates for most non-sex-specific cancers. However, the extent and patterns of these disparities across cancer sites, age groups, and geographical regions in Italy remain poorly investigated. We analysed data from population-based cancer registries belonging to the AIRTUM network, including 1359,053 cancer cases diagnosed between 2013 and 2017, overall and stratified by age group (0-49, 50-69, ≥70 years) and by geographic macro-areas (North, Centre, South & Islands). Differences in five-year net survival between men and women were also assessed. Overall, cancer incidence was markedly higher in men (male-to-female incidence rate ratio [M/F IRR] 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38-1.39), and this gap increased when excluding breast cancer (M/F IRR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.89-1.90). Male predominance was observed in 29 of 30 sites, most notably laryngeal (M/F IRR = 8.74; 95% CI: 8.31-9.19), bladder (5.23; 95% CI: 5.15-5.32), mesothelioma (3.60; 95% CI: 3.40-3.82), and lung (2.92; 95% CI: 2.89-2.95) cancers, while thyroid cancer was more common in women (0.37; 95% CI: 0.36-0.38). Incidence gender gaps were greater in the South & Islands than in the North and Centre. Women showed higher five-year survival rates than men for most major cancers, including colorectal and lung. In Italy, men bear a substantially higher cancer burden than women, with significant geographical variability, while women consistently achieve better survival outcomes. Biological, behavioural, and sociocultural factors likely contribute to these differences. Addressing these disparities requires incorporating a gender perspective into cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.

Cancer EpidemiologyVol. 102
University of Perugia (IT), I.R.C.C.S. Oasi Maria SS (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone" di Palermo (IT), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (IT), University of Palermo (IT)
Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Sex and Gender in Healthcare
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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