Common cancer types among men

Published: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 00:00

Written by: People's Journal

THE alarming number of breast cancer motivated many womens rights groups and
advocates to be aware about their health condition. This time men are encouraged to
take heed of cancer types that commonly affect them.
The most common cancer types among men are lung, liver, colon, and prostate
cancers. Most medical experts agree that the high mortality rate from these types and
other cancers are due to late diagnosis.
Statistics from the Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates show that 6,987 in every 100,000
men have succumbed to lung cancer, while liver cancer accounts for 5,102 deaths in
every 100,000.Colorectal cancer also claimed 1,690 for every 100,000 of the population,
and prostate cancer had a 1,410 mortality rate.
While the statistics for lung cancer is scary, the disease is preventable. There are lifestyle
choices an individual can make that can help him remain cancer-free.
Liver cancer is the second most common cancer type among men which is associated
with chronic infection with hepatitis B and C, heavy alcohol use and cirrhosis (scarring of
the liver), diabetes, obesity and exposure to aflatoxins and vinyl chloride. Cirrhosis usually
preceded the development of liver cancer. Late diagnosis may result in poor
prognosis.Another common cancer among men is colorectal cancer with approximately
52 percent deaths because of late diagnosis. Early screening is necessary to detect the
presence of polyps in the colon that may signal the onset of this cancer. Preventive
measures include avoiding high-fat diets, and regular screenings, among those with a
family history of colorectal cancer. Prostate cancer is a slow-developing disease. If
detected early, and while the tumor is still localized, the 5-year survival rate for men
diagnosed with prostate cancer is up to 99 percent. However, once the cancer spreads
to the lymph nodes, bones, and other organs, prognosis will be bleak, said Jose S.
Garcia, Jr., president of the Philippine Society of Oncology.
Guidelines to help men prevent, or get early diagnosis, for common cancers at a curable
stage:

* All adults who are at normal risk should have a cancer-related check-up every three
years between the ages of 20 and 39.
* Starting at age 50, the following tests may be recommended by your doctor, based on
discussion of your risk factors:
* Annual Fecal Occult Blood Test or Fecal Immunochemical Test.
* Flexible Sigmoidoscopy.
* Colonoscopy every 10 years.
* Double contrast barium enema exam every five years
* CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every five years.
Reference: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/lifestyle/health-a-wellness/11421-commoncancer-types-among-men

Quality of Life of Filipino Cancer Patients

Corazon A Ngelangel
Asia-Pacific Oncology & Haematology, 2008;1(1):18-9
Abstract
Traditionally, end-points in healthcare are assessed through treatment effectiveness
outcomes using indicators such as mortality rates and survival indices. However, with the
modernisation of health technologies such health outcomes no longer suffice. In many
countries, the number of expected lifeyears is increasing. In addition, many treatment
programmes have little or no impact on mortality rates. With the World Health
Organization (WHO) redefinition of health, which includes social and psychological
wellbeing, alternative approaches to measuring health outcomes now include an
analysis of the patients quality of life (QoL), which is an all-encompassing term
connoting the overall wellbeing of a person at a given period of time. Of particular
interest is the attainment or maintenance of QoL of an individual who is diagnosed with
cancer. What is the overall QoL of Filipino cancer patients? What are the best indicators
of QoL among this population? Are there significant differences in terms of age, gender,
level of education, civil status, stage of cancer and type of treatment?
Citation Asia-Pacific Oncology & Haematology, 2008;1(1):18-9

In Tests, Vitamin D Shrinks Breast Cancer Cells

By SUZAN CLARKE

Feb. 22, 2010

Doctors have known that low levels of vitamin D are linked to certain kinds of cancers as
well as to diabetes and asthma, but new research also shows that the vitamin can kill
human cancer cells.
The results fall short of an immediate cancer cure, but they are encouraging, medical
professionals say.
JoEllen Welsh, a researcher with the State University of New York at Albany, has studied
the effects of vitamin D for 25 years.
Part of her research involves taking human breast cancer cells and treating them with a
potent form of vitamin D.
Within a few days, half the cancer cells shriveled up and died. Welsh said the vitamin has
the same effect as a drug used for breast cancer treatment.
"What happens is that vitamin D enters the cells and triggers the cell death process," she
told "Good Morning America." "It's similar to what we see when we treat cells with
Tamoxifen," a drug used to treat breast cancer.
Tumors in Mice Disappear
The vitamin's effects were even more dramatic on breast cancer cells injected into mice.
After several weeks of treatment, the cancer tumors in the mice shrank by an average of
more than 50 percent. Some tumors disappeared.
Similar results have been achieved on colon and prostate cancer tumors in mice.
People should take care not to read too much into laboratory studies, said Dr. Richard
Besser, ABC News' senior health and medical editor. Positive effects in a petri dish or in
rats may not necessarily mean similar results in humans, he said
It's also easier to treat cancer in mice than in people, Besser said.

Tips for Getting Adequate Amounts of Vitamin D

There is testing to determine whether patients are getting enough vitamin D, but Besser
doesn't recommend it for everyone. If someone has repeated fractures or falls, his or her
doctor may decide to do the test.
To ensure adequate vitamin D intake, Besser recommended that people check their
diets and get enough sunlight.
Thirty minutes of sun twice per week -- generally between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
-- should be sufficient, he said. He also said that such levels of exposure won't increase
the risk for cancer.
If diet and sun exposure cannot be improved, people may also consider a supplement,
he said.

Reference:

Retrieved

from

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/study-vitamin-d-kills-cancer-

cells/story?id=9904415 retrieved on 1/28/13 4:55pm