4 Cancer Screenings For Men

Diagnosis & Treatment

June 29, 2018

June is Men’s Health Month and a great time to encourage the men in your life to take their health into their own hands. There are four cancer screenings recommended for men. Regular screenings can help detect cancer before the body begins showing signs and symptoms, before it’s spread and when it’s easier to treat. Here are four types of cancer that men should consider screenings for.
 

Colorectal Cancer

The American Cancer Society recommends regular colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 45 for those with regular risk. Those with a family history of color or rectal cancer should speak with their primary care physician about earlier screenings.
 
There are several different types of tests for colon cancer. You may wish to speak with your physician about which test would be right for you and also your insurance provider to learn about which screenings are covered under your plan.
 
The good news is, thanks to early detection, the 5-year survival rate for those with localized colon cancer is 90%.
 

Prostate Cancer

Healthy men should speak with their doctor about prostate cancer screening with a PSA test beginning at age 50. Those with a family history or a higher risk (African American men) might consider earlier testing between the ages of 40-45.
 
According to the National Cancer Institute, the 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer is 98.2%.

 

Skin Cancer

Monthly self-examination is a good practice for men with concerns about skin cancer. Check yourself from head to toe, looking for any changes in skin – spots, freckles, moles, etc. Report any suspicious changes to your doctor right away. You may also request your physician check you the first time to show you what to look for.

 

Skin cancer is almost always curable when found and removed, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

 

Lung Cancer

If you are age 55-80 and a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years, you should talk to your doctor about lung cancer screening and whether or not it would be right for you.

 

If you would like help quitting smoking, check out these tips from the American Cancer Society. The sooner you quit, the more you can decrease your risk of developing lung cancer. In fact, according to a U.S. Surgeon General’s report, five years after quitting smoking, your risk of several types of cancers is cut in half.

Before you decide to schedule a screening test, it is important to know that there are risks involved with many screenings. You should speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits and make a plan together. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us today.