TOP 5 SICKNESS/HEALTH THREAT THAT CAN AFFECT MEN IN LIFE

We kick started this series by talking about the heart diseases being one of the top threats men are likely to face as they grow in life; we’ll be moving unto the second one:

CANCER:

Cancer is one of the world’s leading cause of death, it is a dangerous, abnormal, malignant cell which is characterized with uncontrolled growth that has the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue forming a large mass of tissue which is called a tumour. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism and orderly process breaks down, meaning, when cancer develops, instead of old cells dying, they survive and they begin to grow and grow out of control causing new cells likewise to form when they are not needed leading to damage.

Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body and has the ability to spread throughout the body as the human body is made up of trillions of cells. Cancer forms malignant tumours which unlike benign tumours can grow back after even being removed.

There are numerous causes of cancer, however, streamlined, we have three major risk factors, as best classified, and we have; inherited genetics, environmental/ toxic exposure and random chance based on lifestyle. Other factors include: Age, skin type, gender, medications etc. with the five most common cancers among men generally are Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, Bladder, and Melanoma.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Lung Cancer is the number one killer among cancers with symptoms such as shortness of breath, noisy breathing, persistent coughing, wheezing, coughing up blood, chest pain, fever, and weight loss. Lung cancer is also considered the most preventable as smoking causes 90% of all lung cancers.

Prostate cancer is the No. 1 cancer risk for men as it is the most common cancer among men because it occurs with aging. It is the second cancer killer (behind lung cancer) as it affects the prostate gland however, it is rarely seen in men younger than 50 years of age. Prostate cancer often occurs without any symptoms, but symptoms are more likely if the disease is advanced, they include straining to pass urine, leaking urine, bloody urine, and bone pain. It is diagnosed with routine screening tests including a rectal examination to feel the prostate and a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test.

Colorectal basically known as colon and rectal is the third most common cancer in men. There are no symptoms in the early stages of colon and rectal cancers, thus the diagnosis is often made by routinely colonoscopy (screening of the stool) for what exactly? It’s to screen for blood that is not visible to the naked eye but can be found by testing the stool sample. Few symptoms which are a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, belly pain, weakness, and weight loss are observed as cancer progresses. Undergoing a routine screening can ultimately make Colon cancer nearly completely preventable with timely responses in the case of possible/early detection.

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in your urine. Blood may change the color of your urine or show up as blood clots. Needing to urinate frequently and burning pain are other symptoms. However, there are no screening recommendations and surgery is the most common treatment. Additional treatments if warranted may include administering drugs directly into the bladder, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Melanoma Skin Cancer also called Melanoma of the Skin is diagnosed in about 27 of every 100,000 men each year, the first symptom of melanoma might be a change in the size, shape, or colour of a mole or freckle. It’s found to occur in persons with a light complexion and lots of freckles and the best way to screen is by doing a complete skin self-exam every month. You should also let your doctor know about any sores on your skin that don’t heal and any new mole or lump and avoid long exposure to the sun or make use of sunscreens if it’s unavoidable.

TREATMENT:

Treatment depends on your age and how aggressive the cancer is, as major options include watching and waiting (which mean monitoring cancer but not starting treatment unless it progresses), radiation therapy (use of x-rays to kill cancer), chemotherapy (use of chemicals) and/or surgery (directly removing the tumour). Other treatment plan includes immunotherapy, targeted therapy or hormone therapy.

However, according to new findings, researchers discovered sub-types, that is, the same cancer type in one individual is very different from that cancer in another individual meaning that each requires a different treatment approach and a single generic method cannot be adopted to treat every individual irrespective they have the same type of cancer; that’s why it is highly recommended to always see your doctor when discussing treatment options.

REDUCING YOUR RISK

In as much factors such as age, race, family history, skin type, mutation at birth can’t be controlled, kindly note the most controllable and imminent factor in controlling cancer is one’s lifestyle. When properly managed it can give a great head start in the prevention and management of cancer. Develop a healthy lifestyle, make sure to get cancer screenings, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and avoid being a second smoker, protecting your skin from the sun and don’t have more than two alcoholic drinks a day. These will go a long way in reducing your risk for these common cancers.

Talk to us today about what additional prevention steps you could and should take and when you should schedule screenings. Our Team comprises of expert doctors and specialists available 24/7 to attend to your needs. Book an appointment here.

Best wishes from the Men’s Wellness Circle.

8 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A REGULAR CHECK-UP

When it comes to cars, you know when to change the oil, check the water’s level, have the front end aligned, checking the tires, etc. however, in as much as you may be as diligent about caring for your car, you might not be exactly giving your body similar level of attention as you might be thinking that you are and besides a car comes with an owner’s manual telling you when a service could be due, and we have to realize that we don’t come with a manual.

Back to the basics, what is a Regular Health checkup? Regular health checkups are tests and examinations carried out to help find problems before they get worse. They can help find problems early when your chances for treatment and cure are better. In going for a checkup, your doctor will talk with you about your medical history, your family’s history of the disease and your lifestyle, including your diet, weight, physical activity, and with getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life. Killing two birds with a stone right?

Below shows a list of examinations that should be considered with respect to the suggested age

Test and examinations suggested for men at their specific age

Keep in mind that the following schedule/recommendations may differ for men who have — or once had — significant medical problems, or have other factors that might increase risks.

IMPORTANCE OF A REGULAR CHECKUP ROUTINE

The benefits of regular check-ups are numerous. Here are some of the benefits you should not be missing out on:

  • Reduce your risk of getting sick
  • Early detection of potentially life-threatening health conditions or diseases.
  • Increase chances for treatment and cure
  • Limit the risk of complications by closely monitoring existing conditions
  • Increase lifespan and improve health
  • Reduce healthcare costs over time by avoiding costly medical services
  • Form a good partnership with the doctor so treatment can be more efficient
  • Get updated on new medical information or technologies that are available in the case of a serious ailment

Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables a day, exercising at least 30-45 mins, practicing good body and dental hygiene, proper hydration, use condoms for both birth control and to help reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, engaging in fun and recreational activities with family and friends can immensely help you in attaining optimum wellness.

To talk to any of our wellness consultants on any health-related issue or book an appointment, kindly call +2347025001532, +2347025001539, or visit our website www.menswellnesscircle.com to find out more about our premium services.

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