Cancer is indeed like a crab. It catches hold of anybody who is unfortunate enough to be near its sharp unforgiving claws. Though cancer affects both men and women equally, there are some cancers that affect more men than women.
The cancers that most frequently affect men are lung, oral, colon, prostate and skin cancers. Knowing about these cancers and how they can be prevented can save your life.
Lung  cancer
People who smoke are at the greatest risk of getting lung cancer and many other tobacco-related illnesses such as heart disease, stroke etc. Smoking and tobacco chewing is responsible for more than 80 per cent of all lung cancers. Other risk factors include exposure to radon and asbestos.
Lung cancers is one of the few cancers that can often be prevented, because it is usually self-inflicted. If you are a smoker, quit now. If you don’t smoke, don’t ever start. If your friends and loved ones are smokers, help them to quit.
Prostate cancer
The chance of getting prostate cancer goes up as a man gets older. About two out of every three prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65. having one or more close relatives with prostate cancer also increases a man’s risk of developing this disease, as does eating a diet high in animal fat.
Prostate cancer can usually be found in its early stages by having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). Talk to your doctor.
Get a PSA blood test and DRE every year starting when you are 50.
Colon cancer
Most colorectal cancers (cancers of the colon and rectum) are found in people over age 50. People with personal or family history of the disease, or w ho have polyps in the colon or rectum or inflammatory bowel disease, are at greater risk than the rest. Eating a diet of mostly high-fat foods, being overweight, smoking, heavy use of alcohol, and being inactive also increase a person’s risk.
Colon cancer almost always starts with a polyp. Testing can save lives by finding polyps before they become cancerous. If precancerous polyps are removed, colon cancer can be prevented.
Eating a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables may also lower the risk of colon cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends one of these five testing options for all people beginning at age 50.
*Yearly faecal occult blood test (FOBT)
* Double contrast barium enema every five years
*Colonoscopy every 10 years
There are some cancers that affect men and women equally. Two of the most common are oral cancer and skin cancer
Skin cancer
People with fair skin have a greater risk of skin cancer than people with darker colouring, although anyone who spends a lot of time in the sun without protection is at risk. People who have had close family members with a melanoma and those who had severe sunburns occurring early in life are at higher risk for this type of skin cancer.
You can help prevent most skin cancers by avoiding long periods in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. Wear hats, long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses and use sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher. Examine your skin regularly and have a skin exam during regular health check-ups.
Oral cancer
People who use tobacco are at the greatest risk for oral cancer. All types of tobacco use increases your risk for oral cancer, including smoking beedi or cigarettes, and chewing raw tobacco, gutka, paan and paan masala (with or without betel nut). Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in India. Women have been shown to be at a higher risk than men.
Oral cancer can be detected in the early stages with an oral exam by your doctor. quitting all types of tobacco use greatly reduces your risk for oral cancer. The best prevention is to avoid tobacco altogether. Consult your doctor for ways and means to quit.
Next issue: Palliative care for cancer patients
(All facts and figures courtesy The American Cancer Society  India Initiative)