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Cancer in Men
Cancer in Men
Screening Tests are Important
Steps You Can Take to Help Prevent Cancer
Publications and Organizations
Did you know that an American man has a one in two chance of developing cancer over his
lifetime? The leading cancer sites for men are the prostate, lung, and colon and rectum.
Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't function right, divide very fast,
and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor.
Overall, cancer death rates are higher in men than women in every racial and ethnic
group, but African American men have the highest rates of dying from cancer among all men.
And overall, rates of new cases of cancer are higher in men than women. African American
men have the highest rates of new cases of cancer each year followed by White,
Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian/Alaska Native men. Lung
cancer is, by far, the most common fatal cancer in men (31%), followed by prostate (10%),
and colon & rectum cancers (10%). The good news is that the rates of new cases of lung
cancer in men have declined in recent years.
Screening Tests are Important
Many cancers can be found early through regular screening tests, especially colon and
prostate cancer. These simple tests can save your life. Without them, men usually won't
notice symptoms of colon or prostate cancer until the disease is advanced. A nationwide
survey shows that most men have not talked with their health care providers about their
risk for colon cancer, and that almost half are not concerned about developing it —
even though it is the nation's second most deadly cancer. Men ages 15-35 are more at risk
for testicular cancer, one of the most curable cancers when found early.
Steps You Can Take to Help Prevent Cancer
Besides getting regular screening tests, you can help prevent cancer by:
Eating a healthy diet that includes lots of delicious fruits and
vegetables. Experts recommend eating 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. This
includes 2-4 servings of fruits and 3-5 servings of vegetables, with dark-green and deep
yellow vegetables making up about 1-2 servings of the vegetable servings.
Quiting smoking. Visit A Breathe of
Fresh Air! for help.
Last Updated: November 2003
The following resources can help you stay on top of what you
need to know about cancers in men:
Publications
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Cancer Facts - 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 testicular self-examination.
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For Women Who Care: Information on Prostate Disease to Share With the Men in Your Life (Copyright © AFUD) - Only men have prostate glands. So why, then, would women want to learn about prostate disease? By sharing the information in this booklet, you may save a man a great deal of difficulty and possibly even his life. Ideally, you should discuss this information with every man over age 40 whose health is important to you -- be he your husband, father, brother, son, or close friend.
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Male Breast Cancer (PDQ®) Treatment - Patients - This publication contains information for patients about male breast cancer, an explanation of its stages, available treatment options, and additional resources.
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Men Shoot for 9 for Better Health - Men need to eat more fruit and vegetables, but they're eating less — and they're lagging behind women in several other significant ways. This Internet site is an extension of the "5 a Day" campaign designed to get men to eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. The site explains why 9 servings are so important for men's health and gives men helpful examples for how to change their habits.
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Penile Cancer (Copyright © AUA) - Malignant tumors of the penis are thankfully rare in the United States. But would you know how to recognize this cancer? This publication provides information which should help you spot this tumor long before it becomes a life-threatening issue.
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Penile Cancer (PDQ®) Treatment - Patients - This publication offers general information about cancer of the penis. It includes a description, the stages, treatment option, and additional resources to learn more about the disease.
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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.
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Testicular Cancer: Survival High with Early Treatment - This publication offers information to men about the most common cancer in young men ages 15-34. It also mentions early detection can lead to proper diagnosis and treatment, lists cancer stages, treatment options, possible side effects, and information on examining the testicles.
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What You Need To Know About™ Cancer of the Colon and Rectum - This booklet provides information on the symptoms, detection and diagnosis, treatment, possible causes and prevention of cancers of the colon and rectum. Having this important information can make it easier for patients and their families to handle the challenges they face.
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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 glossary of terms and other resources.
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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. Includes glossary of terms and other resources.
Organizations
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American Cancer Society
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Cancer Information Service, NCI, NIH, HHS
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Screen for Life - National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign
= Indicates Federal Resources
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