This past June was Men’s Health Month, so it’s that time of year to educate you on important facts regarding your health, or the health of the men in your life.
Top Urology Cancers in Men
Did you know that out of the top 6 most common cancers in men, 3 of them are urology related? Here are three of the most common urologic cancers in men.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is #1 on that list of common cancers in men. According to the most accurate recent figures in 2014, 233,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is about 27% of all cancer diagnoses. About 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The average age for this diagnosis is between the ages of 65-69 and that accounts for 65% of all diagnoses.
The prostate is a gland that assists with reproduction, but as you age, it increases in size and can lead to complications such as BPH and prostate cancer.
What can you do?
There are two tests you can get, the PSA and DRE tests. Getting screened isn’t necessarily a guarantee you can get diagnosed and treated, but it can help if your urologist thinks you might be at risk for prostate cancer. Talk to your urologist if you think you should be screened.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is #4 on the list of the most common cancers in men. It’s estimated that about 56,000 men will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. Unlike prostate cancer, which tends to be more genetically caused, bladder cancer is preventable. However, if not treated early, bladder cancer can spread to lymph nodes of the pelvis, abdomen or even the neck.
What can you do?
As mentioned, while risk of bladder cancer can increase from family history and other genetic factors, age and smoking are the two biggest risk factors. Most men diagnosed are over the age of 70, but smoking can increase your risk at any age. Quitting smoking can help significantly reduce your chances of getting bladder cancer (and lung cancer, which is #2 on the most common cancers in men list).
Kidney Cancer
Lastly, kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, is #6 on the list. About 39,000 cases of kidney cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men. Most cases of kidney cancer first appear in the lining of small tubes in the kidney called tubules. Luckily, most of the time this is found before it spreads. Most men diagnosed are 60 or older.
What can you do?
Two big risk factors for kidney cancer are smoking and obesity. If you quit smoking and try to live a healthier lifestyle (being more active, eating more rich fruits and vegetables and less fatty meats) can greatly reduce your chances of getting kidney cancer
Schedule an appointment with your urologist or primary care physician to get checked up!
For more information on urological oncology conditions, call Southern Urology at our diagnostic center by calling (337) 769-7779
