Women with brain tumours are being dismissed as attention-seekers or told they are just tired, leading to delayed diagnosis, according to a report by the Brain Tumour Charity. The charity warns that this delay can be catastrophic for patients.
New research highlights a broader gender disparity in diagnosis, with women more likely than men to have their symptoms attributed to depression and anxiety. This pattern extends beyond brain tumours to heart disease, cancer, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD.
Cardiologist Nanette K Wenger notes that heart disease is often perceived as a man's disease, leading to women being less likely to receive timely ECGs and crucial medications. A study of nearly 400 US hospitals found that women faced a higher risk of dying in hospital after a heart attack and were more than twice as likely to die if under 65.
The report also cites that for every girl diagnosed with autism, four boys are diagnosed, suggesting diagnostic criteria may be biased. Similarly, women with ADHD often present with less hyperactivity and more disorganisation, leading to underdiagnosis. In the UK, around 700 women each year experience delayed diagnosis for bladder or kidney cancer, even with identical symptoms to men.
The Brain Tumour Charity calls for an end to the 'bikini approach' to women's health, which focuses primarily on breasts and reproductive systems, and urges greater awareness of gender differences in disease presentation and diagnosis.
