Checks in the Male

By taking charge of their own health, men can help lower their risk of serious disease.

"Men traditionally don't go see doctors as often as they should, until there's a significant problem," says Michael Payne, M.D., a radiation oncologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving. But with regular screenings, diseases can be caught early and treated with greater success. With that in mind, here's a guide to three common cancers men should pay attention to.

Prostate Cancer

What it is: A malignant tumor growth in the prostate, a male gland located in front of the rectum. It's the second leading cause of male cancer deaths.

Risk factors: Include being African-American, having a close relative who had the disease prior to age 65 and aging.

Prevention: Eat less red meat and fat and consume more veggies, fruits and grains.

Symptoms: Include urinating too frequently or not often enough, delayed or weak urine stream, lower back pain, or pain with urination, ejaculation or bowel movements.

How it's diagnosed: With a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and digital rectal exam. These tests aren't foolproof, so ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of testing. The American Cancer Society recommends annual screenings beginning at age 50, and starting as young as 40 for those at high risk.

What the results mean: Your PSA level depends on a number of factors, including your age-discuss the results with your doctor, Dr. Payne says.

Treatment options: The most common treatments are surgery, radiation and hormone therapy. Linus Parker, 78, describes his successful radiation treatment at Baylor Irving as "very easy."

"I wasn't apprehensive because they explained what they were going to do, what might possibly happen and what steps I should take to prepare," he says.

Testicular Cancer

What it is: Cancer in one or both testicles. There are approximately 8,000 new cases annually in the United States, most commonly in men ages 15 to 40.

Risk factors: Include being born with undescended testes and family history.

Prevention: To date, researchers haven't found a link to any specific habits, activities or lifestyles.

Symptoms: Include a painless mass on a testicle; testicular pain, swelling or hardness; a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum; an aching in the lower abdomen or the groin; collection of blood or fluid in the scrotum; tenderness in the breast area; or back pain. There also may be no symptoms.
How it's diagnosed: Men should do testicular selfexaminations monthly, preferably in a warm shower. A doctor may do blood tests for tumor markers or an ultrasound.

What the results mean: "Get to know your own body," Dr. Payne says. "We all have lumps and bumps in our testicles, and we just need to know what's normal and what's not normal for us. When you discover something abnormal, seek medical attention right away."

Treatment options: Typically surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. The overall cure rate with early detection tops 90 percent. It's best to seek treatment at a hospital that sees many testicular cancer patients.

Greg Rhine, a disaster preparedness and safety coordinator at Baylor Health Care System, has been in remission for more than 20 years after undergoing testicular cancer surgery. "There are hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions of cancer survivors like me," he says, "living quality lives, and maybe living better lives than they did prior to being diagnosed."

Colon Cancer

What it is: Cancer in the colon (often cited with cancer of the rectum). For 50-year-olds, about one in five will have colon polyps, which eventually can become cancerous. "Most of the people we see with colon cancer are over the age of 40, though we certainly see people younger," says Jim Weber, M.D., director of the gastrointestinal lab on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.

Risk factors: Include being African-American or Jewish of Eastern European descent; obesity; aging; smoking; family history of polyps or cancer of the colon or rectum; or a personal history of cancer of the colon or rectum, polyps, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Prevention: Limit fatty foods, favoring plant sources and eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; exercise; don't smoke; and if you drink, have red wine. Calcium supplementation also may be preventive.

Symptoms: Include blood in the stool or rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits and weight loss. Yet, typically patients have no symptoms, Dr. Weber says. "That's why we so strongly encourage people to get screened at 50 even without risk factors or symptoms."

How it's diagnosed: Most studies show that a colonoscopy is the best test. Screening is recommended beginning at age 50, and starting at age 40 for higher-risk individuals.

Bill Rose, a 57-year old patient of Dr. Weber's, was recently diagnosed with a benign precancerous growth. But with surgery, his prognosis is good. The commercial airline pilot delayed getting a colonoscopy. "If I'd had this done three years ago, I wouldn't be going to surgery," he says. "If you're between 50 and 55 and haven't [been tested], you're behind the power curve."

What the results mean: Finding a cancer or polyp indicates a presence of disease.

Treatment options: Found early enough, a tumor can be removed at the time of colonoscopy, and patients have a nearly 100 percent chance of recovery. In some cases, doctors may have to remove a portion of the colon. If the tumor has spread, then chemotherapy is required.

By Tom Weede

More information about these and other cancers that can affect men's health.