World Cancer Day is observed internationally every year on 4 February. The goal is to join forces globally to make life-saving cancer treatment accessible to everyone – regardless of where they are from and, in so doing, prevent the illness, as well as the millions of cancer deaths.
Each individual's cancer experience is unique, highlighting the importance of looking beyond the illness to the person first. People-centred care embraces individuals for who they are, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender. It focuses on equality and fairness, and seeks to strengthen the connection between healthcare providers and patients, and within communities.
There is growing acknowledgment of the significant gender disparities in health, particularly the disproportionate burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases affecting men. Men are less likely to access and make use of healthcare services and experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared with women (Baker, 2021). Globally, men have an average life expectancy that is 5 years shorter than that of women. Men are also more frequently exposed to the top 10 global risk factors for morbidity and mortality, resulting in a greater burden of disability-adjusted life years. Men are also notably underrepresented in cancer policies, which may acknowledge key data on sex differences, but seldom translate these into deeper analysis or actionable policy changes (Leon and Colvin, 2023).
Men experience a 19% higher rate of cancer incidence and a 43% higher rate of cancer mortality compared to women (Sung et al, 2021). These disparities are further exacerbated for men who face additional challenges such as poverty, racism and other forms of systemic oppression. Despite these alarming figures, the issue of cancer in men continues to be significantly underfunded and underrepresented in global cancer research, advocacy and policy initiatives.
Paramedics are often the first point of contact for those experiencing health crises, including those related to cancer. This patient-facing role places them in a unique position to provide essential prehospital care and early interventions that can significantly impact patient outcomes. Their ability to recognise and address disparities in men's cancer outcomes is particularly vital, given the well-documented differences in cancer presentation, diagnosis and management between genders.
By identifying symptoms that may be suggestive of cancer, such as unexplained pain, weight loss or persistent fatigue, paramedics can facilitate timely referrals to appropriate healthcare providers. Furthermore, paramedics often encounter men who may be vulnerable or those in underserved populations (such as men who are homeless, living in rural areas or residing in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities). These groups are at heightened risk of poorer cancer outcomes owing to barriers of healthcare access. By addressing immediate health concerns and guiding these men towards appropriate healthcare providers, paramedics can help to bridge gaps in cancer prevention, detection and treatment. In doing so, the paramedic not only improves patient outcomes, but also contributes to reducing the broader public health burden of cancer disparities all too often seen in men.