Cancer screening for men

Treatment of cancer has greatly improved over the past two decades. If detected early, cure rates may reach up to 95 per cent in certain cancer types. The cure rates drastically drop with late detection. 

This is where cancer screening comes into play. 

Cancer screening is important for both men and women. It enables detecting certain cancers at an earlier stage, which means a better the prognosis for the affected individual.

In men, cancer screening tests exist for three types of cancer: colorectal, lung and prostate.

There are universal cancer-screening guidelines released by the American Cancer Society (ACS), which govern all aspects of cancer screening.

Colorectal cancer is the most common in men in Jordan.

At 50, usually men should start screening for this type of cancer.

There are many tests for colorectal cancer screening, but the most commonly used are a yearly stool test and a colonoscopy once every 10 years.

Lung cancer is the second most common in men. It is the most common cause of cancer deaths in Jordan.

Screening for lung cancer is not necessary for all men, only for a specific group of smokers.

One should screen for lung cancer if one is between 55 and 74 years of age and in good health, an active or former (must have quit within the past 15 years and not before) smoker with 30 “pack years” of smoking.

People who fit these criteria should undergo a yearly lung CT scan from the age of 55 on.

Of course, one could simply avoid screening for lung cancer altogether by not smoking.

“Pack years” is a figure that incorporates two things: the number of years a person has smoked and the number of packs a person smokes per day.

Both numbers are multiplied, and the product of their multiplication is the pack years. Say, for example, an individual has smoked two packs per day for 15 years, he has 30 pack years, which is the same as an individual who smoked 1 pack per day for 30 years.

Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer in men.

Screening for prostate cancer usually starts at 50 and involves a digital rectal examination and a blood test called PSA.

The prostate cancer screening is controversial and should be assessed on an individual basis; hence, the ACS recommends that men should have the opportunity to make an informed decision with their healthcare provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer after receiving information about the potential benefits, risks and uncertainties associated with prostate cancer screening.

So one should consult his healthcare provider, preferably a urologist, about the need to screen for prostate cancer. 

All individuals should consider screening for cancer, as it is an integral part of health.

It allows for the early detection of cancer, greatly improving the prognosis for the individuals diagnosed.

Some individuals may need to start the screening process earlier in certain cases, for example individuals with a strong family history of cancer.

One should always consult one’s healthcare provider in order to determine the necessary tests and timeline for screening.

The writer is an MD and is currently working on cancer screening awareness and general health screening campaign.