Global cancer death rates are more than 50% higher in men than women, according to the latest figures from Cancer Research UK.
The statistics revealed more than 4.6 million men die from the disease every year -equivalent to 126 men in every 100,000, compared to around 3.5 million women - 82 women per 100,000.
The four biggest killers are lung, liver, stomach and bowel cancers, which together are responsible for nearly half of all cancer deaths globally, the research identified.
And, across the globe, there is wide variation in men's death rates, which are highest in Central and Eastern Europe. East Africa has the highest death rates for women and is one of the few areas where rates for women are higher than for men, the charity said.
However, the accuracy of the data also varies- countries in the developed world with higher rates of cancer are more likely to have better data sources and therefore more accurate cancer data.
Nick Ormiston-Smith, head of statistics at Cancer Research UK, said: "The contrast in cancer death rates between the sexes may be down to more men being diagnosed with types of cancers that are harder to treat, such as cancers of the bladder, liver, lung and oesophagus.
"Cancer is estimated to account for around 16 per cent of all deaths worldwide. Age is the biggest risk factor for most cancers and, as global life-expectancy increases, we'll see more people being diagnosed with the disease.
"But lifestyle also plays an important role. Worldwide, tobacco consumption has been responsible for an estimated 100 million deaths in the last century and, if current trends continue, it will kill 1,000 million in the 21st century. Smoking is by far the most important preventable cause of cancer in the world."
Dr Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said it was "vital" for governments around the world to tackle such inequalities in survival rates.
