Caring for the Men in Your Life:
Cancer Screenings that Should Be on Everyone’s Radar
Women are accustomed to making cancer screening a routine part of their lives, from annual pap tests to mammograms once they turn 40. 
By contrast, few men make screening for cancers a part of their healthcare regimen, even though it can be a valuable tool to catch problems early for effective treatment.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among U.S. men, and in men under 80, it surpasses heart disease.
Encouraging the men in your life to screen for colorectal and prostate cancers are two ways you can help them lead longer, healthier and happier lives.
Colorectal Cancer
Colonoscopy is a very effective way for men—as well as women—to screen for colorectal cancer. When it is caught and treated early, the survival rate is very favorable.
Healthcare professionals recommend a colonoscopy at age 50—earlier if there’s a family history of cancer or other risk factors are present.
Although many avoid the test due to fear, those who’ve had the screening will tell you that the preparation is the worst part—needing to fast and drink a special fluid before the test. The test itself only takes about 15 minutes, and a sedative is used to make sure patients feel no discomfort.
It’s a slight disruption in your routine that could add years to your life.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cancer-causing death in men, accounting for an estimated 30,000 deaths every year. Though screening is on the rise, only 55% of men over the age of 50 have been tested for prostate cancer—compared with 89% of women who’ve been screened for breast cancer, or 99% who’ve had a pap test.
Lancaster General Cancer Center partners with local urologists to promote early detection and treatment for prostate cancer. One of the services offered is free community screenings for those most at risk for the disease. Your primary care doctor can also perform prostate screening.
Those at a higher risk include men over the age of 40, or those over the age of 35 with a family history of the disease, or those who are African-American or Hispanic.
Other Cancer Screenings
While screening for testicular cancer is not widely used except in cases where risk is higher, healthcare professionals encourage self-examination, and prompt attention if an unusual lump is found near the testicles.
Screening for lung cancer is available and when caught early can be successfully treated. However, healthcare professionals believe smoking prevention and cessation programs have a greater impact on lung cancer mortality than screening.
Incidents of skin cancer are growing at a faster rate than other cancers. And it can be treated when caught early through routine screening. Men at higher risk for skin cancer, or those or who exhibit unusual moles, should schedule annual visits with a dermatologist.
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