3 Types of Cancer that are More Common in Men
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Cancer leaves a trail of devastation in its wake, doesn’t practice prejudice, and it can strike at any time. However, certain types of cancer are more common in men than in women. These include prostate, melanoma, lung, bladder, and colorectal cancers. There are many factors that contribute to the cause of cancer, including external, hereditary, and chance. As we age, an overall health scan is essential, since the best chance of survival is by catching it early. If you wish to find out more about the most common types of cancer among men, continue reading below.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer overall and can be directly caused by smoking. As with prostate cancer, it can be present before symptoms develop. When symptoms do present, you will cough up blood, be short of breath, and experience pain when you breathe. Further, you should look out for changes in your phlegm consistency. If you are a smoker, you are at greater risk and should seek medical attention if you experience any of these issues.
Screening for lung cancer is essential and includes fiberoptic telescope observations, phlegm samples, and CT scans. Again, these are all tests you can have done on an annual full-body scan. If you are a smoker and you reach 60, you should talk to your medical provider and have the tests.
Unfortunately, lung cancer has a lower prognosis of survival, with only 50% within the first five years. If cancer has spread or is too far advanced, this percentage is much lower. Treatment includes radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of these. The best way to avoid lung cancer is prevention – if you’re a smoker, you should quit and avoid secondhand smoke. Although this isn’t a hail Mary, it will put you a step in the right direction.
Prostate Cancer
You likely already know this, but prostate cancer is the top cancer risk for men. As well as this, prostate cancer is the second-highest killer overall. Statistically, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. As men age, the risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer increases. Unfortunately, early prostate cancer doesn’t produce any symptoms and is difficult to detect without testing. If prostate cancer goes undiagnosed and advances, you may find bone pains, blood in urine, urine leaks, and difficulties when passing urine.
When you reach your 50s or you have a family history of prostate cancer, you should take precautions and get tested for prostate cancer. The process is called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and is carried out by taking blood. You can have this test carried out at this NYC local service as part of their full body scan NYC. The medical experts at Ezra will guide you through the entire process, which will combine scans including MRI and low-dose CT to check up to 14 organs.
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are plenty of treatment options available, and the prognosis is typically good. Within the first five years of diagnosis, the survival rate is almost 100%. However, if cancer has spread to other parts of the body, this is lowered to 30%. Treatments include monitoring, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer, which attacks the rectum and colon, is another common cancer in men. Again, like other forms of cancer, you can have it without presenting any symptoms at all. If you become symptomatic, you will experience weight loss, blood in your stool, extreme bowel habit changes, and overall weakness. Like with prostate cancer, you should have a test carried out when you hit 50 years old. The most common test is a colonoscopy, which involves an examination of the colon with a camera. Typically, you should have this test at least every five years.
Survival with colorectal cancer is similar to other forms of cancer because it depends on which stage it is at. For people with stage 1 colorectal cancer, you have a 75% chance of survival. Treatment will usually be a combination of those mentioned above. To reduce the risk of this particular cancer, you should avoid smoking, avoid excessive drinking, and keep a healthy weight alongside a balanced diet.
Cancer can be extremely devastating, and catching it early is the best way to fight back. If you have a family history of cancer, you should get tested earlier than the recommended age. Understanding the most common cancers for men is a great way to stay healthy. You should follow all lifestyle recommendations and ensure that you are tested when the time comes. After all, the majority of cancers don’t present symptoms in their early stages. Cancer treatments have come a long way and survival is more likely when caught early.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.
