Are cancer screenings really necessary? According to the American Cancer Society, cancer screenings are especially important for men. Males have a 42 percent chance of developing invasive cancer at some point in their lives, and almost a 23 percent chance of dying from cancer (Source: Healio).
With so many cancer screenings available today, it is difficult to determine which cancer screenings are the most essential for early detection. Here are some of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men and their associated screenings:
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It is estimated that 134,490 new cases of colon cancer or rectal cancer will be diagnosed nationwide in 2016, and an estimated 49,190 Americans will die from colon cancer this year. The gold standard for colon screening is the colonoscopy because it offers early detection, treatment and prevention of cancer. Most colon cancers begin as a precancerous polyp which can be removed during a colonoscopy. When a polyp is removed, it cannot develop into cancer. A colonoscopy is the only cancer screening that actually provides cancer prevention in the screening process.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer screening is performed through a PSA blood test, with or without a digital rectal exam. The US Preventative Task Force (USPTF) recommends against PSA testing because the test is not always accurate, and prostate cancer is relatively easy to treat. The USPTF does allow health care providers to offer the PSA test, so experts recommend that men speak to their health care provider for recommendations.
Melanoma/skin cancer
Men are encouraged to do self-exams to check for changes in the skin. These changes can include asymmetrical shape, irregular borders, presence of more than one color, diameter of 6mm or larger, or evolution of a mole. Men who are at elevated risk are men with fair skin, those over age 65 and those with more than 50 moles on their body.
The best way to care for your health is to stay current with physicals and annual checkups. Talk to your primary care physician about recommended screenings, and make sure that your family health history is updated regularly. Because of its effectiveness in cancer prevention, ask your doctor when you should get a baseline colonoscopy. This age will vary according to risk factors and family history.