The Influence of Sex and/or Gender on the Occurrence of Colorectal Cancer in the General Population in Developed Countries: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objective: Gender as the “sociocultural role of sex” is underrepresented in colorectal cancer incidence studies, potentially resulting in underestimated risk factors’ consequences and inequalities men/women. We aim to explore how literature focusing on differences between men and women in the incidence of colorectal cancer interprets these differences: through sex- or gender-related mechanisms, or both?Methods: We conducted a scoping review using PubMed and Google Scholar. We categorized studies based on their definitions of sex and/or gender variables.Results: We reviewed 99 studies, with 7 articles included in the analysis. All observed differences between men and women. Six articles examined colorectal cancer incidence by gender, but only 2 used the term “gender” to define exposure. One article defined its “sex” exposure variable as gender-related mechanisms, and two articles used “sex” and “gender” interchangeably to explain these inequalities. Gender mechanisms frequently manifest through health behaviors.Conclusion: Our results underscore the need for an explicit conceptual framework to disentangle sex and/or gender mechanisms in colorectal cancer incidence. Such understanding would contribute to the reduction and prevention of social health inequalities.