Man Up For Mens Health

November 2011

Image CaptionBeginning at age 40, men should begin screening for prostate and colorectal cancer, tests that save lives.

Dr. David Beck, chairman of the department of colorectal surgery at Ochsner, said colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second most common cause of death from cancer.

“[While] lung cancer is still [the] first [most common], if you don’t smoke you probably won’t get lung cancer,” Beck said. 

In the absence of symptoms, men with risk factors such as a family history of colorectal cancer should get tested at age 40, while those without extenuating factors should get tested at 50, Beck said. Any significant intestinal problem such as rectal bleeding should immediately be evaluated by your doctor.

“Colorectal cancer is unique in that it almost always starts as a polyp, which is a small growth in your colon that over several years will almost always turn into cancer,” he said.

Polyps caught early in development can be removed, eliminating the threat of colorectal cancer, Beck said, but only 50 percent of men are actually undergoing screenings.

Department of Urology Chairman and Urologic Oncology Section Head Dr. Stephen Bardot said men without a family history of prostate cancer should begin annual tests at 45, while men with close relatives who have also had prostate cancer should start getting tested at 40.

Prostate cancer claims approximately 28,000 of the 280,000 patients diagnosed each year, Bardot said, a number that can be reduced through early detection.

“Early detection is key with prostate cancer,” he said.  “Early screening can even detect slow growing tumors in some cases that don’t require therapy.”

Both doctors agree that early screening, while not always pleasant or convenient, can save lives.

“We’re really trying to get the word out that everyone needs to be tested,” Beck said.

To participate in a preventative health screening assessment, click here.

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