Researchers Observe Increased Cancer Risk in Masculine and Feminine Teens: Study

Stereotypical habits and behavior in boys and girls like chewing tobacco or getting sunburned increases their chances of developing cancer, according to a study.

Teens and young adults pressured by the societal norms and perceptions of masculinity, femininity and gender differences develop unhealthy practices that can pose significant health risks.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found adolescent boys (smoking cigars and chewing tobacco) and girls (who regularly seek beauty treatments like tanning) face increase cancer risk.

The study involved 6,010 girls and 3,425 boys aged between 9 and 14 who were a part of the Growing Up Study conducted in 1996. Experts surveyed participants about gender expressions and were asked their femininity-masculinity to determine cancer risk behaviors.

The researchers found that boys who considered themselves as masculine were 80 percent more likely to chew tobacco and 55 percent inclined to smoke cigars compared to respondents who described themselves as less masculine. On the other hand, girls, who self-rated as 'feminine,' were 32 percent more likely to use tanning beds and had 16 percent chance of remaining physically inactive compared to girls who were less feminine.

The study also revealed that respondents, who self-rated as, least feminine and least masculine, were associated with rebellious behavior and cigarette smoking to overcome social stigma and harassment related to their sexual preference and gender nonconformity.

The findings also revealed that television viewing, watching movies and reading magazines also influenced attitudes and behaviors that elevate their risk of cancers in later years. For example, more than one third of girls were more likely to frequently receive skin tanning following media exposure.

Andrea Roberts, study author and research associate in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at HSPH said in a news release, "Our findings indicate that socially constructed ideas of masculinity and femininity heavily influence teens' behaviors and put them at increased risk for cancer. Though there is nothing inherently masculine about chewing tobacco, or inherently feminine about using a tanning booth, these industries have convinced some teens that these behaviors are a way to express their masculinity or femininity."

Recently the U.S. government launched advertisement campaigns to regulate alcohol and cigarette consumption among younger population. Previous studies also found that American teens undergo more psychological stress and trauma compared to adults. 

S. Bryn Austin, co-author and associate professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at HSPH added, "Engaging in risk behaviors in adolescence likely increases the risk of engaging in similar behaviors in adulthood. So it is important to focus on prevention during the teen years, challenging notions such as 'tanning makes one beautiful' or 'cigar smoking and chewing tobacco is rugged or manly'."

More Information is available in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

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