Cancer

Does it surprise you to know that the survival rate for many common cancers has increased by 30 per cent over the past 20 years? Although 115,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia each year, the chance of recovery has greatly improved. According to Cancer Council Australia, one of the reasons for this improvement is because people are making healthier lifestyle choices.

Cancer can affect any part of the body, but for men the most common cancers are prostate, bowel, melanoma of the skin and lung cancer. While a diagnosis of lung cancer usually has a worse prognosis, prostate cancer is the one most commonly diagnosed. In fact, every day 32 men find out that they have prostate cancer.

Be proactive about cancer

If you know someone who has been treated for cancer, then you know how draining, both emotionally and physically, cancer treatments can be. There are no easy fixes when it comes to cancer. But what we do know is that there are some simple proactive steps that you can take in what Cancer Council Australia calls living a “cancer smart life”. These include quitting smoking, limiting your alcohol intake, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping active and of course, being SunSmart.

Keeping healthy also means talking to a doctor when health concerns arise and having the relevant health checks. Cancer Council Australia has developed a cancer prevention plan for men which highlights what body changes, such as a spot growing on the skin, should be checked by a doctor. It also advises on early detection in relation to bowel cancer and prostate cancer. Also take a look at their complimentary fact sheet on understanding the Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).

If you have not been to the doctor lately, maybe it’s worth thinking about arranging your annual check-up?

A specialist talks about prostate cancer

Associate Professor Declan Murphy, consultant urologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, talks about prostate cancer. The following topics are discussed:

What is the prostate? (9 secs)
What is prostate cancer? (42 secs)
What are the symptons? (1min 24 secs)
Who should be tested? (2mins 6secs)
How do you test for prostate cancer? (2mins 36 secs)
What are the treatment options? (3 mins 41 secs)
What is the best treatment? (5mins 17 secs)
What are the consequences of prostate removal? (5mins 57secs)
Can you do anything to prevent prostate cancer? (7mins 6secs)
What should men do to keep themselves informed about prostate cancer? (7mins 42secs)

Want to know more?

To help you find out more about the causes, prevention, detection and management of cancer we have put together some relevant cancer links and resources.

This article was based on information sourced from Cancer Council Australia and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.