Top 6 most dangerous cancers in men
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Top 6 most dangerous cancers in men
When it comes to cancer mortality, men have a disadvantage. Based on statistics from 2008-2012, the rate of cancer death is 207.9 per 100,000 men compared to 145.4 per 100,000 women. Overall, 39.6 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. For men, knowing which cancers they are more likely to die from can help them be aware of symptoms and what screening tests are available.
Cancer incidence is declining
Fortunately, significant strides are being made on the war against cancer in the United States.
The annual report from the American Cancer Society statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival shows that since 1991, the decline has dropped by 26 percent with more than 2.4 million Americans lives that did not succumb to cancer.
To save even more lives, the best cure is prevention. And for men, this can be one of the most significant factors to keep in mind to dodge a diagnosis of cancer.
Top 6 deadliest cancers in men
To help men remain as healthy as possible, it is important to be familiar with what cancers are they more likely to die from. The earlier men recognize symptoms of these 5 cancers and seek help from their physician as soon as possible, the greater chance they have of surviving them:
1. Lung cancer
The leading cause of cancer death in men is lung cancer. Lung cancer in men causes more deaths than the next 3 leading causes combined which are prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The American Cancer Society is predicting for 2018, 121,680 men will be diagnosed with lung cancer and around 83,550 men will die from the disease.
Symptoms of this cancer may include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, hoarseness, and shortness of breath. A screening test is available for lung cancer which can reduce death from lung cancer by 20 percent. The test is recommended for people between the ages of 55 and 80, who have at least a 30 pack-a-year history of smoking.
A history of smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer. But exposure to radon is the next most common risk factor in those who do not smoke. To know if you are being exposed to radon, do a radon test which can be done with an inexpensive kit from a hardware store.
2. Melanoma
Skin cancer is by far the most common of all cancers. Even though melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it causes a majority of skin cancer deaths. For 2018, the American Cancer Society estimates for melanoma in the United States that there will be about 55,150 men who will be given a diagnosis of this cancer and about 5,990 men will die from it.
Fortunately, there are vital steps men can take to reduce their risk of developing melanoma. One is to reduce their exposure to ultraviolet light. Many men have jobs being outdoors so it is important for them to always wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and/or to wear protective clothing covering their arms and legs, including a wide-brimmed hat. Men should also avoid using tanning beds and sunlamps and to do a monthly skin check looking for any changes in moles or noticing new moles that have appeared.
3. Prostate cancer
It is estimated that for the year 2108, 164,690 men will be given a diagnosis of prostate cancer and about 29,430 men will die from it, according to the American Cancer Society.
More men are actually diagnosed with prostate cancer than lung cancer; however the difference lies in the survival rate of the two diseases. The overall 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer is around 99 percent, which of lung cancer lingers around 16-17 percent.
Most men are diagnosed with prostate cancer before they even have any symptoms which may include urinary frequency, hesitancy, nocturia (needing to urinate at night), as well as signs of blood in urine or semen or bone pain from prostate cancer if it has spread to bones.
To catch prostate cancer at its earliest and most survivable stage, it is recommended all men starting at age 40, being an annual digital rectal exam along with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
4. Colorectal cancer
The death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping in men for several decades. Reasons include earlier screening for the disease making it easier to treat when caught in an early state and improvements in treatments over the years.
For 2018, the American Cancer Society is estimating that 97,220 new cases of colorectal cancer will occur with 43,030 individuals succumbing to the disease. Men do have a slightly higher lifetime risk of colorectal cancer of about 1 in 22 men compared to 1 in 24 women. It is advised for everyone to begin colon cancer screening starting at age 50 unless there is a family history of the disease.
Men should be advised to know symptoms of colon cancer which include a change in bowel movements, blood in stools (red or dark), pencil-thin stools, and lower abdominal discomfort.
5. Pancreatic cancer
Though the incidence of pancreatic cancer is much lower than that of prostate cancer, the survival rate remains poor; the overall 5-year survival rate for the earliest stage of the disease (stage 1A) is 14 percent and survival for stage IV disease – the stage at which most people are diagnosed – is only 1 percent.
There is no screening test for the general population for pancreatic cancer but men with a family history could have a genetic predisposition. Therefore, they may want to do blood tests for tumor markers or individualized imaging studies that may be able to see early detection.
Symptoms of the disease include jaundice, itching, unexplained weight loss, a loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. An unexpected diagnosis of diabetes may also be a warning sign as a tumor in the pancreas may interfere with the production of insulin.
6. Liver cancer
Liver cancer is considered such when the cancer actually originates in the liver. Many types of cancer may spread to the liver – in those situations, the cancer is not considered “liver cancer” as it did not begin there.
The primary risk factors for liver cancer include a history of excessive alcohol consumption, chronic hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, a hereditary syndrome known as hemochromatosis, and aflatoxin exposure. Symptoms may include jaundice, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.
There is no current general screening test available for the public but for people at risk such as a man with chronic hepatitis B infection or cirrhosis, screening may be recommended.