Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Boys Or Girls, Who Is More Vulnerable To Childhood Cancers?

Did you know that about 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with childhood cancer each year? As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, childhood cancer accounts for 2.5% of total cancer cases in India and around 35,000 new cases are identified annually. While the numbers look less, cases are on the rise, which is alarming. In order to raise awareness about childhood cancers, September is observed as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Also known as ‘Gold September’, this month is dedicated to children who are battling cancer and their caregivers for their courage and spirit.

Boys Vs Girls: Which Gender Is More Prone To Cancer?

Have you ever thought gender might be a risk factor for cancer? Some studies suggest that gender plays a role in cancer risk, but that is not the sole deciding factor. On the other hand, it was presumed that birthweight is also a risk factor for cancer, but a study published in NCBI has shown that there is no direct link between birthweight and childhood cancer risk.

Speaking to Onlymyhealth, Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, shares, “In childhood cancers, the role of gender is not as clear-cut as it is in some adult cancers. While adult cancers often show well-defined differences between men and women, pediatric cancers do not always follow a predictable pattern. Even so, global cancer registry data suggest that boys are more frequently affected than girls, with studies showing that childhood cancers occur roughly 20–30% more often in boys.”

“When specific cancer types are considered, conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, and neuroblastoma tend to appear more in boys. On the other hand, Wilms’ tumor (a kidney cancer) is one of the few exceptions, being slightly more common in girls,” Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra adds.

Also Read: Understanding Bone Cancer in Children: Causes and Treatment Options

This overall trend indicates that although both genders are vulnerable, boys show a somewhat higher susceptibility to many childhood cancers.

Why Are Boys Susceptible To Childhood Cancers?

The different underlying reasons for childhood cancer in boys and girls are still being studied. But here are some potential reasons why boys are more at risk of developing childhood cancer as compared to girls.:

Biological Factors

Researchers suspect that biological factors may play a role; boys might have subtle variations in immune system activity and hormonal balance that increase their risk of developing cancer at a young age. A PMC study has also found that the survival rate is different in males and females diagnosed with childhood cancer.

Also Read: Expert Explains Causes Of Rising Early Puberty In Urban Kids And The Hidden Dangers

Environmental Factors

Another hypothesis focuses on environmental and developmental exposures. “Scientists are exploring whether boys may be more sensitive to pollutants, chemicals, or other environmental triggers, both before birth and during early childhood. These exposures, coupled with biological and genetic variations, could contribute to the greater incidence observed in boys,” shares Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra.

Final Word

At present, however, the explanations remain inconclusive. While the trend is consistent across several studies, no single cause has been firmly identified. Continued research in areas such as genetics, immunology, and environmental health is essential to better understand these differences.

In conclusion, Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra says, “While childhood cancers affect both boys and girls, boys appear to have a moderately higher risk across multiple cancer types. Recognizing these gender-based patterns can help doctors and researchers improve early detection and develop preventive strategies for the most vulnerable groups.”