It’s Father’s Day on June 14, and it’s the best time to talk about Cancer in Men.
In the Philippines (as well as in many parts of the globe), many men die each year from cancer. Cancer of the LUNG, LIVER, PROSTATE GLAND, COLON or RECTUM, and STOMACH are the most common cancers that attack men. Early detection or finding out the soonest that a cancer is growing gives men the best chance to be cured. If you are between ages 20 and 40, have yourself check for cancer once every three years. Over 40, get checked every year.
LUNG CANCER 9 out of 10 men who die from lung cancer smoke cigarettes. A chest x-ray won’t always ward you in time. The good news is that if you quit early enough, most damage from smoking will heal. Not smoking helps prevent many diseases, not just lung cancer. See a doctor if you have a nagging or painful cough that does not go away or if you cough up blood or if your chest hurts all the time.
LIVER CANCER Incidence of the disease increases at age 40. The good news is that vaccinating the infant population against the Hepatitis B virus can help reduce the number of hepa B carriers. Improved personal hygiene and public santiation may also decrease the prevalence of hepa B. Stay alert, primary liver cancer is much more common in areas where Hepatitis B virus is prevalent – especially in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Other factors implicated in liver cancer are heavy alcohol consumption, prolonged consumption of foods, nuts and grains with aflatoxin and other chemical cancer-causing agents. There is no effective early detection for liver cancer. See a doctor if you have abdominal pain; if you have abdominal mass or enlarged liver; and if you are suffering from weight loss, weakness and loss of appetite.
PROSTATE CANCER Incidence of the disease increases markedly after age 55. The good news is that 8 out of 10 men who find out in time that they have prostate cancer may live at least another 5 years. Stay alert, if over 40, have a rectal examination every year. Men over age 60 are most likely to get prostate cancer. See a doctor if you have painful or burning urination; you see blood in your urine; or you have an inability to urinate or difficulty in starting urination.
STOMACH CANCER Incidence of the disease rises at age 50. The good news is that proper nutrition habits may help prevent this disease. A balanced health diet rich in vitamins, minerals, green leafy vegetables and yellow fruits may help lower the risk. Evidence suggests that this cancer may be linked to diet, excessive consumption of salty, smoked or pickled foods. Also, avoid tobacco products (smoking, chewing tobacco, snuff) and stay away from people who are smoking. See a doctor if you have indigestion, loss of appetite and anemia; if you have weight loss, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and abdominal mass.
COLON & RECTUM CANCER Most often, this disease strikes men over age 50. The good news is that early detection can save 3 out of 4 people. Stay alert, colon and rectum cancer most likely develops in men who have ulcerative colitis; have a family member with colon or rectum cancer; have a family member with polyps in the colon or rectum; and are over 40. See a doctor if you bleed from the rectum; you see blood in your stool; you see a persistent change in your bowel movements; and you have cramping pain in your abdomen.
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In the Philippines (as well as in many parts of the globe), many men die each year from cancer. Cancer of the LUNG, LIVER, PROSTATE GLAND, COLON or RECTUM, and STOMACH are the most common cancers that attack men. Early detection or finding out the soonest that a cancer is growing gives men the best chance to be cured. If you are between ages 20 and 40, have yourself check for cancer once every three years. Over 40, get checked every year.
LUNG CANCER
9 out of 10 men who die from lung cancer smoke cigarettes. A chest x-ray won’t always ward you in time. The good news is that if you quit early enough, most damage from smoking will heal. Not smoking helps prevent many diseases, not just lung cancer. See a doctor if you have a nagging or painful cough that does not go away or if you cough up blood or if your chest hurts all the time.
LIVER CANCER
Incidence of the disease increases at age 40. The good news is that vaccinating the infant population against the Hepatitis B virus can help reduce the number of hepa B carriers. Improved personal hygiene and public santiation may also decrease the prevalence of hepa B. Stay alert, primary liver cancer is much more common in areas where Hepatitis B virus is prevalent – especially in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Other factors implicated in liver cancer are heavy alcohol consumption, prolonged consumption of foods, nuts and grains with aflatoxin and other chemical cancer-causing agents. There is no effective early detection for liver cancer. See a doctor if you have abdominal pain; if you have abdominal mass or enlarged liver; and if you are suffering from weight loss, weakness and loss of appetite.
PROSTATE CANCER
Incidence of the disease increases markedly after age 55. The good news is that 8 out of 10 men who find out in time that they have prostate cancer may live at least another 5 years. Stay alert, if over 40, have a rectal examination every year. Men over age 60 are most likely to get prostate cancer. See a doctor if you have painful or burning urination; you see blood in your urine; or you have an inability to urinate or difficulty in starting urination.
STOMACH CANCER
Incidence of the disease rises at age 50. The good news is that proper nutrition habits may help prevent this disease. A balanced health diet rich in vitamins, minerals, green leafy vegetables and yellow fruits may help lower the risk. Evidence suggests that this cancer may be linked to diet, excessive consumption of salty, smoked or pickled foods. Also, avoid tobacco products (smoking, chewing tobacco, snuff) and stay away from people who are smoking. See a doctor if you have indigestion, loss of appetite and anemia; if you have weight loss, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and abdominal mass.
COLON & RECTUM CANCER
Most often, this disease strikes men over age 50. The good news is that early detection can save 3 out of 4 people. Stay alert, colon and rectum cancer most likely develops in men who have ulcerative colitis; have a family member with colon or rectum cancer; have a family member with polyps in the colon or rectum; and are over 40. See a doctor if you bleed from the rectum; you see blood in your stool; you see a persistent change in your bowel movements; and you have cramping pain in your abdomen.
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