Men's Health


Men's Health

Cancer

Men's Health Home > Top 10 Health Concerns of Men > Cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer, which rarely spreads to other parts of the body, is the most common cancer for all men and women. The leading cause of cancer death for both men and women is lung cancer. Other cancers that affect men include prostate cancer, colon cancer, and testicular cancer.

Skin Cancer

Excessive sun exposure is the single most important risk factor for developing skin cancer. Your best defense against skin cancer is to:

Minimize contact with the sun during peak hours (10 am to 4 pm) and through the use of sunscreen and other protective measures.

Lung Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be about 213,380 new cases of lung cancer in 2007. Lung cancer is a killer and survival rates are poor. Overall, only 16% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer will survive the next five years. Early diagnosis does increase your chances of survival. If lung cancer is found before it spreads to lymph nodes or other organs, the average 5-year relative survival rate is about 49 percent.

The risk factors for lung cancer include:

smoking and being around others' smoke
things around us at home or work (such as radon gas)
a family history of lung cancer

Some preventive measures you can take:

Don't smoke.
Avoid second-hand smoke.
Make sure your home and workplace are radon free.

Colon Cancer

Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, after skin, prostate, and lung cancer. Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop colorectal cancer. Some of these risk factors include:

Age: Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. More than 90 percent of people with this disease are diagnosed after age 50.
Colorectal polyps: Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. They are common in people over age 50. Most polyps are benign (noncancerous), but some polyps can become cancer. Finding and removing polyps may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Family history: Close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, or children) of a person with a history of colorectal cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this disease themselves, especially if the relative had the cancer at a young age.

Making the following lifestyle changes can help you prevent colorectal cancer, and lead to a healthier life.

Get five servings of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains a day.
Limit red meat and saturated fat.
Exercise five days a week for at least half an hour.
Quit smoking.
Avoid alcohol.
Maintain a healthy weight.

Screening for colorectal cancer is a very important prevention factor.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer accounts for only one percent of all cancers in men in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 7,920 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2007, and about 380 men will die of this disease. It is one of the most curable forms of cancer and the 5-year relative survival rate for all men with testicular cancer is 95.4%. If the cancer hasn't spread outside the testicle, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99.3%. Even if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is 95.8%. Testicular cancer is most common in White men.

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant (cancerous) in one or both testicles. The testicles (also called testes or gonads) are a pair of male sex glands. They produce and store sperm and are the main source of testosterone (male hormones) in men. These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs. The testicles are located under the penis in a sac-like pouch called the scrotum.

Risk factors for testicular cancer include:

Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism): Normally, the testicles drop from inside the abdomen into the scrotum before birth. The risk of testicular cancer is increased in males with a testicle that does not move down into the scrotum.
Family history: The risk for testicular cancer is greater in men whose brother or father has had the disease.

Cryptorchidism, being a White man, and a family history of the disease are the main known risk factors of this cancer. None of these factors can be prevented because they are present at birth.

If you have young boys, it is wise to correct cryptorchidism soon through surgery. Also, knowing you have a risk factor for testicular cancer may cause you to be more watchful and to check your testicles, making it more likely that the cancer will be found early.

Additional Information on Cancer:

Publications

Testicular Cancer: Questions and Answers - This fact sheet provides information about the treatment, detection, risk factors and prevention of testicular cancer. It includes instructions for performing a testicular self-examination.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/testicular
What You Need To Know About™ Cancer of the Colon and Rectum - This booklet provides information on the symptoms, detection, diagnosis, possible causes, and treatment of cancer of the colon and rectum. Having this important information can make it easier for patients and their families to handle the challenges they face.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/colon-and-rectum
What You Need To Know About™ Lung Cancer - The diagnosis of lung cancer brings with it many questions and a need for clear, understandable answers. This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet provides information about some causes and ways to prevent lung cancer, and it describes the symptoms, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/lung
What You Need To Know About™ Prostate Cancer - This booklet on prostate cancer discusses symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask the doctor. It also includes a glossary of terms and other resources.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/prostate
What You Need To Know About™ Skin Cancer - This booklet on skin cancer discusses symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask the doctor. It also includes a glossary of terms and other resources.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/skin
Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Worksheet for Men (Copyright © American Cancer Society) - This worksheet is a helpful aid to educate men on the most common types of cancer that affect them. It provides a checklist on the risk factors, preventative behaviors, and how to detect cancers early.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_4_1x_Cancer_Prevention_Worksheet_fo...
Prostate Cancer and Bone Loss (Copyright © The Hormone Foundation) - This is an easy-to-read fact sheet about prostate cancer and bone loss. The Hormone Foundation offers information regarding screening and treatment of prostate cancer, as well as tips for preventing bone loss. Additional resources are provided for further information.
http://www.hormone.org/Resources/Prostate/upload/bilingual_prostatecancer_bonelos...
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options (Copyright © AAFP) - This on-line publication provides information about the different treatments for prostate cancer, including prostatectomy, radiation therapy, watchful waiting, and hormone therapy. It also includes the risks and benefits of each.
http://www.familydoctor.org/handouts/264.html