Colon cancer is the development of tumor cells in the colon or large intestine. While men and women are at equal risk for developing colon cancer, there are subtle differences in how cancer manifests itself in both genders. Here are some gender differences you should know about.

1. Location of cancer
There are two sides to the colon – proximal or right side and distal or left side. According to experts, women are at a higher risk for developing proximal cancer, while men seem to develop distal cancer commonly.

2. The aggressiveness of cancer
The proximal cancer is the more aggressive form, and the tumor cells quickly spread compared to distal cancer. Hence, women are at a higher risk for developing the more aggressive form of colon cancer when compared to men.

3. The survival rate in younger individuals
Some studies prove that estrogen hormone can protect against developing colon cancer in younger women. It may also bring down the intensity of the condition. As a result, younger women have a better survival rate when compared to younger men with this type of cancer.

4. The survival rate in older individuals
The proximal cancer is more complicated and is only identified in its advanced stages. As a result, the five-year survival rate of women is lower than that of men. This is especially true in women aged 70 and above. The survival rate in older women with colon cancer further decreases because of the lack of estrogen hormone in the body due to menopause.

5. Genetic mutations
Certain genetic mutations can increase/decrease the risk of colon cancer in both genders. According to studies, a particular type of DNA methylation called CpG island is a tumor suppressor, and this is present only in women. Therefore, women have a protective effect against colon cancer while men don’t. Similarly, a genetic polymorphism called the vascular endothelial growth factor 936 is found only in women, increasing the risk of developing cancer in the colon. Other studies prove that PIK3CA genetic mutation occurs only in women, leading to lowered survival rate after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

6. Physiological changes
The body structure and the anatomical shape of the colon are different in men and women. As a result, doctors believe that it is difficult to detect colon tumor cells in women compared to men. As a result, the condition worsens, and cancer grows to an advanced stage. Studies mention that women have flat and depressed tumor cells that are hard to detect in an examination. Men usually develop polyp-kind of easily visible tumors.

Knowing the gender differences in how colon cancer develops and grows will help doctors diagnose and plan treatment better. It will also help the patients to have realistic expectations of handling the condition.