The Brain Tumour Charity has reported that women with brain tumours are often dismissed as attention-seekers or told they are just tired, leading to delayed diagnosis after multiple doctor visits. This delay can have catastrophic consequences, according to the charity.
The findings highlight a broader gender disparity in medical diagnosis. Research shows that women with serious conditions are more likely than men to have their symptoms attributed to depression and anxiety. For example, women under 65 are more than twice as likely to die from a heart attack than men of the same age, partly due to delayed treatment.
Experts attribute this to a historical 'bikini approach' to women's health, focusing primarily on breasts and reproductive systems. Cardiologist Nanette K Wenger notes that heart disease is often perceived as a man's disease, with a 1960s conference on women and cardiovascular disease titled 'How Can I Help My Husband Cope with Heart Disease?'
The disparity extends beyond cardiac issues. Autism is diagnosed in four boys for every girl, and ADHD presents differently in females, often leading to underdiagnosis. Each year in the UK, around 700 women with bladder or kidney cancer experience delayed diagnosis compared to men with the same symptoms.
The Brain Tumour Charity urges an end to gender bias in diagnosis, emphasising that women's symptoms should be taken seriously. While men also face delays in conditions like breast cancer, the charity stresses that gender disparity in either direction must be addressed.
