Women With Melanoma Appear To Have A Survival Avantage

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, women who receive a melanoma diagnosis appear to have an increased likelihood of surviving it as well as a decreased likelihood for recurrence, compared to men. This analysis of four European studies found that women can expect a 30 percent better outcome than men following an early stage melanoma diagnosis.  Researchers hypothesized that gender differences with respect to vitamin D metabolism, immune system function, male testosterone levels and what is known as 'oxidative stress' in the body may all play a role in explaining the gender gap in melanoma patients.