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CANCER FACTS FOR MEN

 The Facts

 Each year, about 195,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and it will claim about 32,000 lives. If prostate cancer is detected early, it can be treated effectively, but early prostate cancer has no symptoms.

Who Is At Risk?

Most cases of prostate cancer occur in men older than 50, and more than 70% of these cases are in men over 65. For reasons that are still unknown, African-American men are significantly more likely than white men to develop prostate cancer and are more than twice as likely to die from it. Having one or more close relatives with prostate cancer also increases a man’s risk of developing the disease.

The Best Defense; Early Detection

Prostate cancer can usually be detected in its early stages by having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for early detection of prostate cancer:

Your health care provider should offer you the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE) every year staring when you are age 50. He or she should discuss the benefits and limitations of testing with you so that you can make an informed decision about testing. If you are at high risk for prostate cancer (you are African-American or have a father or brother with prostate cancer at a young age), you should begin having these tests at age 45.

Lung Cancer The Facts

Lung cancer claims more lives than any other cancer. Every year it will strike more than 90,000 men, and an estimated 90,000 will die of the disease. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of lung cancer is that it takes so many lives each year, even though it can be almost totally prevented.

Who Is At Risk?

People who smoke are at the greatest risk of getting lung cancer and a host of other tobacco related diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and emphysema. Smoking is responsible for 87% of all lung cancers. Other risk factors include exposure to radon and asbestos, particularly for smokers.

The Best Defense:

PreventionLung cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented because almost all of it is caused by smoking. If you are a smoker, ask your health care provider to help you quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If your friends and loved ones are smokers, help them quit.

Colorectal CancerThe Facts

Colorectal cancer is a disease in the lower digestive tract. About 67,000 men will be diagnosed with it this year, and about 28,000 will die of the disease. This cancer is very treatable if caught early.

Who Is At Risk?

Most colorectal cancers and polyps are found in people over the age of 50. People with a personal history of colorectal cancer, polyps in the colon or rectum, inflammatory bowel disease, or a family history of the disease are at somewhat greater risk than the general population. Smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, and diets high in fat and low in fiber may also put people at a higher risk for colorectal cancer. Since removing polyps has been shown to prevent colorectal cancer, regular screening can reduce risk of the disease.

The Best Defense: Prevention and Early DetectionMost colorectal cancers begin as polyps which later become cancerous. If the polyps are found early, they can be removed before cancer develops. In this sense, colorectal cancer is a disease that can be prevented. Eating a diet that is low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables may also lower the risk of colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines to detect colorectal cancer early:

Beginning at age 50, have one of the following tests:

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (the American Cancer Society prefers this option compared with FOBT or only flexible sigmoidoscopy only), OrFlexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, Or Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year, Or Colonoscopy every 10 years, Or Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years.

Note:

People at increased or high risk for colorectal cancer should talk with their doctor about a different screening schedule.

There have been remarkable advances in the treatment of this cancer, and few survivors have colostomies or wear external bags anymore. Talk about colorectal cancer with your health care provider. An early diagnosis can save your life.

The cancers that most frequently affect men are prostate, lung, colorectal, and skin. Lmowing about these cancers and how they can be prevented or detected early can save your life.

Skin Cancer The Facts

Although there are more than 1 million cases of skin cancer each year, most of these cancers are easily treated and cured. One type of skin cancer, melanoma, is deadly if not treated early, and the number of new cases is increasing rapidly in both women and men.

Who Is At Risk?

People with fair complexions, especially redheads, have a greater risk of getting this type of cancer than people with darker coloring, although anyone who spends a lot of time in the sun are at risk. People who have had close family members with a melanoma are at higher risk for this type of skin cancer as are people who had severs sunburns before the age of 18. It is especially important to protect children from sun exposure.

The Best Defense:

Prevention and Early DetectionAvoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during the midday hours, can prevent most skin cancers. Wear protective clothing-hats with brims, long-sleeved shirts-and use sunscreen on all exposed parts of the skin. If you have children, protect them from the sun and don’t let them get sunburned. Examine your skin regularly, and have a skin exam during your regular health checkups.

The Best Defenses Against Cancer

Early detection-finding a cancer before it has spread-gives you the best chance of being cured. Too many men die each year from cancer. Knowing about these cancers and how they can be prevented or detected early can save your life. For additional information on cancer, please call our toll-free number or visit our web site.