Cancer is a deadly disease that affects both men and women. In 2018, an estimated 1,735,350 new cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States alone. Unfortunately, the majority of people diagnosed with cancer are men. Statistics show that cancer mortality is higher in men than in women. For instance, in 2018, at least 323,630 men died from cancer in the US. There are many different types of cancers and there are some that are more likely to affect men than women. Below, we are going to discuss the most common types of cancers that affect men.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is common among men. Statistics show that lung cancer causes more deaths than pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer combined. In 2018, it was estimated that cancer caused 83,550 deaths in men. This means that out of all cancer deaths in men in 2018, 26% were caused by lung cancer. Primary risk factors for lung cancer include smoking, exposure to radon gas, family history of lung cancer, exposure to asbestos, and other carcinogens and exposure to second-hand smoke. Common symptoms of lung cancer in men include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, weight loss, loss of appetite, feeling tired and weak and hoarseness.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer ranks second among cancer-related deaths in men. It is estimated that prostate cancer was responsible for at least 29,430 deaths in 2018. This means that out all cancer deaths in men in 2018, 9% were caused by prostate cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men. However, the number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer per year is more than the number of people diagnosed with lung cancer. The good thing about prostate cancer is that it has a higher survival rate than lung cancer. Statistics show that 99% of men in the US diagnosed with prostate cancer manage to live past 5 years of their diagnosis. On the other hand, only 17% of men diagnosed with lung cancer manage to live past 5 years of their diagnosis. Common signs of prostate cancer include frequent urination, blood in seminal fluid, erectile dysfunction, blood in urine, pain during urination. Major risk factors for prostate cancer include poor eating habits, family history age, poor eating habits race, among many others.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer ranks third in cancer-related deaths in men. It is estimated that 27,000 men in the US died from colorectal cancer in 2018 (about 8% of all cancer deaths in men in 2018). Colorectal cancer is a combination of colon cancer and rectal cancer. Although colorectal cancer is still among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in men, early screening can help save lives. Unlike prostate cancer and lung cancer that have limited screening, colorectal cancer screening is simple and straightforward. Studies have shown that most colon cancer starts in polyps. It can take up to 20 years for polyps to become cancerous. Early screening can help detect this type of cancer early. Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include persistent diarrhea, blood in your stool, adnominal discomfort, and feeling as if your bowel is not emptying. Common triggers include family history, old age, and an unhealthy diet.
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. While the number of men diagnosed with colon cancer is less, the survival rate among pancreatic cancer patients is very low. Only 14% of men diagnosed with stage one pancreatic cancer manage to live past five years. The survival rate for people diagnosed with stage 4 is less than 1%. Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate. Common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice, poor appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diabetes, and nausea. Common risk factors include age, family history, an unhealthy diet, smoking, among many others.
Bladder cancer
Studies show that men are four times likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer than women. This explains why bladder cancer is common in men. Unfortunately, screening for bladder cancer is not yet available. However, doctors’ advise men to embrace a healthy lifestyle (eating healthy foods, avoid smoking and exercise) to lower their chances of getting this cancer. Bladder cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the world and eighth in the US. Common risk factors include chronic bladder inflammation, family history of cancer, age, and smoking. Common symptoms include persistent lower back pain, frequent urination, blood in urine, and pain during urination.
What men can do to lower their chances of getting cancer
There are many things that men can do to lower their chances of getting cancer. They include:
· Limiting alcohol intake.
· Quit smoking. If you are not a smoker, then stay far away from people who smoke.
· Eating healthy and nutritious foods.
· Staying physically active.
Sources:
1. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics
2. https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/201806/5-most-common-cancers-men
3. https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-cancers-causing-death-in-men-2248874
4. https://www.everydayhealth.com/mens-health/most-common-cancers-in-men.aspx