BREAKING NEWS
Nadia Khan faces criticism after questioning Preshay Adnan over gym attire • OpenAI scraps new AI model launch over safety concerns • Men face higher cancer rates than women, study finds • Pakistan earn first point in FIFA ASEAN Cup after 2-2 draw with Philippines • Tax return filing deadline tomorrow as late-filer category set to end • Floods and heavy rains kill 23 in Thailand • Ahsan Bhoon sends Rs5b defamation notice to Capt (R) Safdar • Salman Khan speaks out against AI-generated deepfake videos • Insomnia linked to 26% higher stroke risk, study finds • Google Chrome introduces feature to preserve tab position across devices • Four militants killed in security operation in DI Khan • Clashes erupt over partial demolition of 600-year-old Ujjain mosque in India • Pakistan thrash Oman 7-2, set up Asian Games semifinal against India • Pakistan plans $500mn ADB loan for pension reforms • Netflix crime thriller ‘Unabomber’ tops global movie chart
Advertise with us >

study finds

Men face higher cancer rates than women, study finds

by
Men face

LONDON: Men have higher rates of cancer than women worldwide, although the overall potential for developing the disease is considered similar between the sexes, according to a new study published in JAMA Oncology.

Researchers analyzed health data from more than 134,000 people in Shanghai, China, and more than 455,000 people in the United Kingdom. They examined the incidence of 34 types of cancer and compared the findings with 11 potential risk factors.

Previous studies have pointed to biological differences, including genes, hormones and immune-system responses, as possible explanations for the disparity. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor diet, obesity and metabolic diseases have also been linked to increased cancer risk.

For the new study, researchers examined factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and certain medical conditions. Participants were followed for more than a decade to determine how many developed cancer.

The findings suggested that lifestyle-related factors accounted for about 85% of the difference in cancer rates between men and women, while biological factors or unexplained causes accounted for the remaining 15%.

In China, smoking was the largest contributor to the difference, accounting for about 52% of the disparity in cancer cases between men and women. Alcohol consumption accounted for another 15.1%.

Chronic liver disease and low fruit consumption were also associated with higher cancer risk among men.

The pattern was different in the United Kingdom, where smoking and alcohol consumption rates were more similar between men and women. Metabolic factors such as obesity accounted for about 8% of the difference, followed by smoking at 6.26% and type 2 diabetes at 3.51%.

The researchers said the findings indicate that differences in cancer rates between men and women are not solely attributable to biological factors and may also be influenced by cultural practices and population health.

They added that future research should examine other potential contributors, including environmental factors.

Insomnia linked to 26% higher stroke risk, study finds

by
Insomnia

LONDON: People suffering from insomnia may face a significantly higher risk of stroke, according to a new study published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews.

Sleep is essential for both physical and mental health, but millions of people worldwide experience insomnia for a variety of reasons. While short-term sleep problems may resolve within days, persistent insomnia has been linked to a range of health problems.

Researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of previous studies examining the relationship between insomnia and stroke. Nine studies investigated the association, involving more than 1.3 million people in total.

The analysis found that people with insomnia had a 26% higher risk of stroke and a 28% higher likelihood of hospitalization from any cause.

The researchers said the findings highlight the potential health consequences of persistent insomnia and its association with neurological problems.

However, they cautioned that the analysis identified an association rather than proving that insomnia directly causes stroke. Further research is needed to determine the mechanisms behind the relationship.

Previous research published in BMJ Open in March 2024 also found that regular exercise was associated with a lower risk of insomnia symptoms.

That study analyzed data from 4,339 people across nine European countries. Participants were assessed for their physical activity at the beginning of the study and again about a decade later, while researchers also collected information about symptoms of insomnia.

The findings showed that people who exercised at least twice a week were 22% less likely to experience insomnia symptoms.