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Tips for a Healthy Life for Men
- Eat Healthy: Have a balanced diet and watch portion sizes.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or obese increases risk for many preventable diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Get Moving: Find fun ways to stay in shape and feel good.
- Be Smoke Free: Help-lines, counseling, medications and support groups are available to help you quit.
- Get Routine Exams and Screenings: Routine exams and screenings can help save lives.
- Get Appropriate Vaccinations: Protect yourself from illness and disease by keeping up with your vaccinations.
- Manage Stress: Find an equal balance between obligations to your employer and your family.
- Know Yourself and Your Risk: Know what diseases you are at an increased risk for developing.
- Be Safe - Protect Yourself: Fasten seat belts, apply sunscreen, wear bike helmets, and install smoke detectors.
- Be Good to Yourself: Pay attention to your health and make healthy living a part of your everyday life.
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Have a Lifesaving Talk with Your Doctor Today
Source: American Cancer Society, June 2003
Many men go to the doctor for a common cold or allergies – usually something they need relief from immediately. But there are many illnesses that don’t have symptoms or have symptoms that don’t appear right away, like cancer. A simple annual checkup with your doctor can add years to your life.
"By talking with their doctors about personal health histories and those of their families, men can cut down their risk for developing cancer," Durado Brooks, MD, director of prostate and colon cancer for the American Cancer Society said. "Many types of cancer don’t have noticeable symptoms in the early stages when they are most treatable. Talking with your doctor now can save your life."
What to ask about...
Knowing what to talk to your doctor about is key. Here are some things men should ask about at their next checkups:
Prostate Cancer -
This year, an estimated 220,900 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the US. Because early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms, it’s important to get the facts and talk with your doctor about your personal risk and whether testing is right for you. Some risk factors include age, ethnicity, and family history of prostate cancer. Tests for prostate cancer include the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and the digital rectal exam.
Colon Cancer -
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in both men and women. And the primary risk factor for the disease is age, with more than 90% of cases diagnosed in people over 50. Discuss with your doctor screening options that are right for you. The American Cancer Society recommends one of these five testing schedules for anyone 50 or older at average risk:
Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
Yearly FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years (preferred over either option alone)
Double contrast barium enema every five years, if normal
Colonoscopy every 10 years, if normal
Testicular Cancer
In 2003, an estimated 7,600 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed. It is primarily a disease of younger men, and is the most common cancer diagnosed in men between the ages of 15 and 35. The good news is that testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of the disease because most cases can be found at an early stage. Doctors and the American Cancer Society agree that a testicular exam is an important part of a general physical checkup.
These are just a few of the things men should talk to their doctors about. It’s also important to live a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight, with a balanced diet high in plant-based foods and regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco are great ways to lower your risk for cancer. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.
Men's Health Cancer Information
Source: American Cancer Society
This Father’s Day, give the men in your life important information about staying healthy. Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org for reliable cancer resources and tips on talking with a doctor. Knowing the facts can save lives.
Add your support to help wipe out cancer and improve quality of life for those living with the disease. Join the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® – an event offering hope to those facing cancer, honoring those lost to the disease, and raising money to further cancer research, education, advocacy, and services. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org for an event near you.
This summer protect your skin with basic sun safety: Slip!Slop!Slap!® Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher, and slap on a hat. And remember to shade your eyes with sunglasses. Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org for more safe sun tips.
Nearly nine million people alive today have dealt with cancer. June 1 is National Cancer Survivors Day. Honor those in your life who have faced the disease by joining the fight to end it. Volunteer with the American Cancer Society. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
The American Cancer Society offers valuable resources for those facing cancer and their caregivers. Cancer Survivors NetworkSM connects cancer survivors across the country by phone or Internet to share experiences, strength, and hope. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
When you’re ready to quit smoking, the American Cancer Society can help. By providing tips for quitting, up-to-date information on cessation methods, and contacts to local support resources, the Society can double your chances of quitting successfully. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
Are you a prostate cancer survivor? Do you know someone who has faced this disease? Reach out to those newly diagnosed with your firsthand experiences of what to expect and how to cope through the American Cancer Society’s Man to Man® program. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org to find out about this and other programs available in your area.
Take the following quiz pertaining to cancer by answering true or false for each question. Click each question for the correct answer.
Men have a higher lifetime risk of developing cancer than women do. But many men aren’t aware of the facts about cancer. Take this quiz to see how much you know about men and cancer.
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men.
- True – Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, and 87% of all lung cancers can be attributed to tobacco use.
- Early prostate cancer usually has symptoms.
- False – Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. That’s why it’s important to know the facts about the disease and talk with your doctor about your personal risk and whether testing is right for you.
- Colon cancer usually strikes men over the age of 50.
- True – Men and women age 50 and older are at risk for colon cancer and should talk with their doctors about appropriate early detection screenings.
- Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer.
- True – Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer. Studies show that the cure rate exceeds 90% in all stages combined.
- Eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol can lower a man’s risk for cancer.
- True – Eating a healthy diet high in plant-based foods, getting at least 30 minutes or more on five or more days per week of moderate physical activity, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol can lower a man’s risk for cancer, as well as a woman's.
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