Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/439403
1 5 S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G 1 5 Men's Cancer Mythbusting MYTH: "I never smoked, so I'm not at risk for lung cancer." Truth: Occupational hazards can greatly increase your risk for developing lung cancer, the leading cancer killer of men (and women). Be aware of your exposure to certain chemicals at work, and talk with your physician about your risk factors. MYTH: Testicular cancer causes impotence and infertility. Truth: "Removing the testicles does not have to impair sexual function," says Georgia J. Smith, Director of Cancer Care Services at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. "Additionally, with the prevalence of sperm banking and surgical techniques that can preserve one testicle, many men go on to father children after testicular cancer." MYTH: Prostate cancer is always deadly. Truth: "Many people hear the word 'cancer' and think 'death sentence,'" Smith says. "Prostate cancer is slow growing and has similar survival rates as breast cancer in women—it's highly curable if caught early." Walk the Line MORE THAN 300,000 MEN IN THE UNITED STATES WILL LOSE THEIR LIVES TO CANCER IN 2015. LEARN MORE ABOUT THREE OF THE MOST COMMON CANCERS IN MEN AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP THEM. TYPE OF CANCER ANNUAL NEW CASES IN MEN 5-YEAR SURVIVAL RATE RISK FACTORS HOW CAN I PREVENT IT? HOW CAN I INCREASE MY CHANCES OF EARLY DETECTION? LUNG 110,000 16% Smoking, secondhand smoke, radiation therapy, workplace hazards • Never smoke. If you smoke, stop. • Avoid secondhand smoke. • Reduce exposure to cancer-causing substances (such as asbestos, arsenic, and diesel exhaust). Current or former smokers between the ages of 55 and 74 who have smoked the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years should have a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan every year. PROSTATE 233,000 99% Middle age and older, family history, race (African American men more likely to be diagnosed), obesity • Increase folate, a type of vitamin B found in leafy green vegetables, in the diet. • Maintain healthy weight through exercise and diet. Men age 45 or older should talk with their physician about the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. PSA testing is not right for everyone, but it can determine if you have prostate cancer. TESTICULAR 8,820 96-99%, depending on how far cancer has spread Undescended testicle, family history, age (between 20-34), race (Caucasian men are more likely to be diagnosed) • Be aware of risk factors, including family history. Complete a manual exam every month to look for any bumps or nodules, and report these as well as any changes in shape or size to your physician. Testicular examination should also be a part of your yearly annual exam. To learn more about cancer care at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, visit sacredhearteauclaire.org and click "Centers & Services." For HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital, visit stjoeschipfalls.com and click "Our Services."