Thanks for bringing this to our attention....BUT
What else is new? It has been known for some time that women are diagnosed later (blood in the urine is not an alarming symptom to them) and that later diagnosis leads to poorer outcomes.
I have never been a fan of epidemiological research. You get some student or post-doc to pour over the past literature, combine apples to oranges, and come out with such earth-shattering news.
What I REALLY "liked" about this one was the statement:
The disparity between genders is proposed to be the result of a differences exposure to carcinogens (i.e., tobacco and chemicals) as well as reflective of genetic, anatomic, hormonal, societal, and environmental factors. Explanations for the differential behavior of bladder cancer between genders include sex steroids and their receptors as well as inferior quality of care for women (inpatient length of stay, referral patterns, and surgical outcomes).
This statement is interesting, could contain a lot of truth, but is based on ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE from these investigators. Easy/peasy.
Not ranting at you, Pat....I think it is important to have these things brought to our attention....just wish there were more REAL research being done.
Sara Anne
