Advice for men to avoid the top five killers
2. Cancer (288,768)
Early detection key to cancer survival
Cancer is the number two killer of men, with nearly 290,000 deaths a year, but the good news is lifestyle changes and early screenings could help turn that number around.
Men mostly die from lung, prostate and colon cancer. As for lung cancer, there’s one universal piece of advice: stop smoking.
Dinesh Kapur, MD, Medical Director of Cancer Services at Backus, says lung cancer can be caused by second-hand smoke or exposure to asbestos, but is mainly due to smoking. If you experience a chronic cough, or cough up blood, you should be screened, as early detection boosts the odds of survival.
The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 150,000 men and women will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006, with about 37 percent deaths annually.
Many of these deaths could be prevented with screening, so Dr. Kapur recommends that all men should be screened at age 50, earlier if they are at high risk. Any changes in bowel movements, anemia or bleeding can be signs of colorectal cancer.
Prostate cancer screenings are more controversial, but Dr. Kapur recommends following the advice of your doctor and paying close attention to any signs or symptoms, such as difficulty urinating.