The number of men afflicted with cancer is increasing. It is to an extent because of the rise in the life expectancy of men. Every year cancer claims the lives of thousands of men. However, the number of men who are surviving is also rising.
Early detection and treatment of cancer in men can help to fight the disease and reduce the risk of death. Here are the different types of cancer in men.
1. Prostate cancer – This is the most common cancer in men. African-American men are at greater risk of contracting this kind of cancer. Some steps to prevent prostate cancer include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, taking a healthy diet, staying away from unhealthy foods, and engaging in regular exercise.
Prostate cancer usually happens without any of the common symptoms of cancer in men. However, there may be the following symptoms in the advanced stages such as difficulty in passing urine, leaking urine, bone pain and bloody urine. Treatment depends on how much your cancer has advanced and your age.
2. Lung Cancer – Lung cancer is another most prevalent type of cancer in men. Lung cancer occurs in around 81 out of 199,000 men. It is the no.1 cause of deaths in men. Most of the deaths from this type of cancer are due to smoking. The radon gas that comes from building materials is also a cause of lung cancer. The best ways to prevent the cancer is to quit smoking and reducing exposure to second-hand smoke.
Some of the common symptoms of lung cancer include difficulty in breathing, chest pain, hoarseness, cough, noisy breathing, and blood in a cough. Treatment of lung cancer depends on the types of cancer and how much it has advanced.
3. Colorectal cancer (cancer of the rectum or colon) – It strikes men above the age of 50 years. Excess weight, smoking, inactivity, alcohol, and unhealthy diet appear to raise the risk of colorectal cancer. Regular physical activity, shedding excess weight, not smoking, and a well-balanced diet can help prevent it.
You can have colorectal cancer in the initial stages without any symptoms. Some of the common symptoms include weakness, rectal bleeding, weight loss and stomach pain.
4. Bladder cancer – It strikes men who are older than 70 years. However, smoking increases the risk of getting it at any age. One of the most common symptoms of cancer in men is blood in the urine. Burning pain and increased frequency of urinating are also other symptoms of this kind of cancer. It is helpful to quit smoking to prevent bladder cancer. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water helps to reduce the risk of bladder cancer.
5. Skin cancer – It is a common type of cancer in both men and women. This cancer is more common in men than in women. Skin cancer can be totally prevented and can be successfully treated if detected early. To help prevent skin cancer, protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays by wearing sunscreen, long-sleeved clothes, a hat, and sunglasses.
6. Kidney Cancer – Kidney cancer affects men who are 60 years and above. Major risk factors include high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking. Being physically active, not smoking, maintaining a good weight, and eating a nourishing diet can help prevent this cancer.
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7. Mouth and throat cancers – Thousands of men are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Tobacco, poor diet, and alcohol increase the risk of this kind of cancer.
8. Leukaemia – It affects the immune system. Smoking and exposure to chemicals like benzene increases the risk of this type of cancer.
9. Pancreatic cancer – This type of cancer happens more in people who have a history of diabetes, obesity, and pancreatitis. You can decrease the risk by limiting alcohol and red meat consumption and by maintaining a healthy weight.
Also Read: Understanding Male Breast Cancer- Symptoms and Diagnosis
Becoming aware of the most common types of cancer in men can help you to reduce your risk of cancer. You can consult your doctor if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above of cancer in men. You can also enquire from your doctor about additional preventive measures to stay healthy and cancer-free.
