Cancer is a serious, life-threatening disease, the incidence of which varies depending on factors like age and gender. There are some cancers that predominantly affect men while others are more common in women, and there are others that specifically affect either the male or female population. In this blog, we have elaborated 5 most common types of cancer that affect the male population, with the help of experts specialising in cancer treatment in India.
Lung Cancer
With more than 2 million cases diagnosed every year, it tops the list of the most common cancers affecting men and accounts for 15.4 per cent of all the cases. Smoking and other hazardous exposure are common causes, substances such as air pollution, radon, or asbestos are also among them. Coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss are all signs of lung cancer. For people who are at high risk, screening is crucial since lung cancer, like prostate cancer, may not show any signs in the early stages.
A low-dose CT scan is frequently used for lung cancer screening because it is capable of identifying small lung nodules or masses. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are all possible forms of lung cancer treatment.
Prostate Cancer
With nearly 1.4 million cases diagnosed across the globe, annually, prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer that specifically affects men, and accounts for 15.1 per cent of all cases. It develops in the prostate gland, which is situated in front of the rectum and beneath the bladder. A portion of the semen is made up of fluid that the prostate gland produces.
Prostate cancer symptoms include Erectile dysfunction, back, hip, or pelvic pain, and trouble peeing are all symptoms of erectile dysfunction. However, prostate cancer may not show any symptoms in the beginning, which is why routine screening is crucial.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood are normally measured with a blood test, and the prostate is typically felt for abnormalities using a digital rectal exam (DRE). Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and surgery are all possible prostate cancer treatments.
Colorectal Cancer
It is the third most frequent cancer among men and accounts for 11.4 per cent of all cases. It develops in the colon or rectum, which are both parts of the large intestine, where it develops. Changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss are some signs of intestinal cancer. However, this also might not show any symptoms in the early stages, similar to prostate and lung cancer.
A colonoscopy is frequently used as part of screening to examine the colon and rectum for any abnormalities. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are all possible forms of treatment for intestinal cancer.
Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is also known as Gastric cancer. It is one of the major causes of cancer-related fatalities globally and is more prevalent in men. With nearly 1 million new cases and 769,000 fatalities reported in 2020, stomach cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer across the board. Although there is no known direct cause of stomach cancer, a number of risk factors have been discovered, including a diet high in salted or smoked foods, a long-term Helicobacter pylori infection, a family history of stomach cancer, smoking, and obesity.
Stomach cancer symptoms can include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite reduction, unintentional weight loss, and feeling full after only a small amount of food. It is crucial to see a doctor if you encounter any of these symptoms. An endoscopy to inspect the stomach lining, a biopsy to obtain tissue samples for processing, and imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI are among the techniques used to diagnose stomach cancer. Depending on the stage of the illness, there are several treatment options for stomach cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these.
Liver Cancer
A specific type of cancer called liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver. It is a primary cause of cancer-related deaths globally especially among men. Liver cancer is the fifth most prevalent disease in the world, with an estimated 906,000 new cases and 830,000 fatalities reported in 2020. Although the precise cause of liver cancer is not always known, several risk factors have been noted, such as chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and exposure to specific chemicals.
Abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), unexplained weight loss, and a sensation of exhaustion or weakness are all potential symptoms of liver cancer.
The detection of hepatitis B or C virus, liver function testing, imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan to see the liver, and biopsy to obtain tissue samples for testing are all used in the diagnosis of liver cancer.
Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common cancers in men. Males should be aware of the symptoms and risk factors related to these tumours as early discovery is essential for effective treatment. Regular examinations and screenings by a medical professional can also contribute to the early detection of certain malignancies. Always remember to look after your health and seek advice from the best oncologist in Gurugram if you have any worries or inquiries regarding cancer.
Dr. Sunny Garg, Head of Department and Senior Consultant
Medical Oncology
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