 Sexual hormones play a key role in determining the risk of developing certain cancers. Studies have shown that young women are less likely to develop some types of cancer compared to men due to their higher levels of estrogen and other female hormones. These hormones help protect against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are two factors that contribute to the development of many types of cancer. Additionally, these hormones influence the activity of antioxidant enzymes and mitochondria, which can affect the progression and outcome of various cancers. Understanding the mechanisms behind these gender-related discrepancies could lead to more effective treatments for both genders. This article was authored by Alessandro Allegra, Santino Cazerta, Sara Genovese and others.