Men’s health is not just about prostates and testicles

What do you think of when you think of men and cancer?

If it’s testicular or prostate cancer, you are not wrong, and while they only affect men, they aren’t the only cancers. In fact, men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with and die from the most common types of cancer: prostate, colon, skin, and lung cancers.

Men are also less likely to talk about cancer or get help early, which can increase their risk.

Since this week is Men’s Health Week, it’s a good time to throw some light on men and cancer and why it is important for men to stay tuned.

What is the difference between cancer outcomes in men and women?

We know that men with cancer are not doing as well as women who have been diagnosed with cancer:

• they have a life expectancy that is 4.5 years shorter
• they have been in poorer health in the last 10 years of their lives
• they have a lower chance than women of surviving 5 years after diagnosis (66 out of 100 women compared to 62 out of 100 men).

And the differences don’t end there. Each year, more men than women are diagnosed with cancer and die from it. We know that one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer before age 85.

The good news is that this number is falling. Most likely because we now have better tools for cancer prevention and early detection and because cancer treatments have improved.

Why do men get cancer more often?

Men generally have more risk factors. Risk factors include higher tobacco and alcohol consumption, poor diet, obesity, and less physical activity. About a third of all cancers in men can be prevented by reducing the effects of these risks.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, but melanoma, lung, and colon cancers round out the top 4.

Early detection can save men from cancer. For example, a PSA test every 2 years after age 50 can help detect prostate cancer at an early stage.

But men don’t go to their doctors and don’t like to talk to others about changes in their bodies. One of the most important things we can do is start the conversation between men about men and their health.

What about men who have already been diagnosed?

Men diagnosed with cancer often experience a range of emotions, from sadness to anger, instability and vulnerability, and some are at higher risk of suicide.

Ben, who has finished his cancer treatment, says that being diagnosed with cancer takes you into a whole new world. This world is one where all of your future plans just vanish – jobs, growing old, raising families, enjoying food, and hair! While many men don’t like to talk about “life issues,” it is important to know that there is plenty of information and support available.

We have a range of resources and services to help men, from diagnosis, to treatment, and beyond cancer, even if you live in a remote area.

Call 13 11 20 for information and assistance to speak to a health professional. We can connect you to these services or just chat and answer your questions over the phone.

You may want to visit our website for information on cancer, support resources, and cancer prevention.

You can find specific cancer information for men in our factsheet Men and Cancer.

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source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/mens-health-is-not-just-about-prostates-and-testicles/