'Movember' highlights importance of men's cancer prevention and detection - Oil City News

‘Movember’ was organized in 2004 to raise awareness of men’s health issues, particularly cancer and depression.

As this Movember comes to an end, it’s not too late to discuss cancer risks particular to men.

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Rob Johnston, Wyoming Cancer Resource Services Regional Coordinator-Region II at the Casper-Natrona County Health Department, has provided Oil City News with three fact sheets on colorectal, prostate and testicular cancer.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Colorectal cancer is preventable with appropriate screening. Colorectal cancer has no symptoms in the early stages. 45% of all Wyoming residents over the age of 50 have colon polyps that can turn into cancer over time.

The Wyoming Cancer Program offers free at-home colorectal screening tests, known as FIT kits. This is an easy way to screen for colorectal cancer.
• FIT stands for fecal immunochemical test
• It detects hidden blood in stool that could be from colon polyps or early stage cancer
• A FIT kit should be done once a year for anyone aged 50 and older
• If the results of the FIT kit are positive, consult a healthcare provider.

Who should use the FIT kit?

Men and women ages 50-70 who
• Have not had a colonoscopy in the last 10 years
• Have not had a FIT kit test in the last year
• Have no history of bleeding ulcers or hemorrhoids

Casper residents can pick up a free FIT kit at the Casper-Natrona Health Department. Call 307-577-9760 to set up an appointment.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is diagnosed in one out of nine men annually. One out of forty one men will die of prostate cancer this year. A man’s chances of getting prostate cancer increase as a man gets older. Most prostate cancers are found in men over 65. African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than men of other races. If prostate cancer runs in one’s family, male members will be of greater risk of developing the disease.

The symptoms of prostate cancer may be different for each man and any one of these symptoms may be caused by other conditions. As a result, routine screenings in the form of digital rectal exams (DRE) and prostate specific androgen (PSA) tests are important.

Men over 50 should discuss their risk with their physician.

Because of the proximity of the prostate gland in relation to the bladder and urethra, prostate cancer may be accompanied by a variety of urinary symptoms. Depending on the size and location, a tumor may press on and constrict the urethra, inhibiting the flow of urine. Some prostate cancer signs related to urination include:
• Burning or pain during urination
• Difficulty urinating, or trouble starting and stopping while urinating
• More frequent urges to urinate at night
• Loss of bladder control
• Decreased flow or velocity of urine stream
• Blood in urine (hematuria)
Other prostate cancer signs & symptoms
Prostate cancer may spread (metastasize) to nearby tissues or bones. If the cancer spreads to the spine, it may press on the spinal nerves. Other prostate cancer symptoms include:
• Blood in semen
• Difficulty getting an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Painful ejaculation
• Swelling in legs or pelvic area
• Numbness or pain in the hips, legs or feet
• Bone pain that doesn’t go away, or leads to fractures
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Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the #1 cancer in men under 40. Men 40 years and older diagnosed with testicular cancer have twice the risk of dying from the disease. Testicular cancer is almost always curable if caught and treated early. If untreated, it is fatal.

Knowing what the symptoms of testicular cancer are increases the likelihood of finding the disease in its early stages. In some cases, men may discover a lump accidentally or during a routine self-examination. If you do notice an unusual lump or experience other testicular cancer symptoms, it is important to talk with your doctor.

Common signs of testicular cancer include:
• Hard lumps or nodules on either testicle or a change in how the testicle looks or feels.
• Swelling in the scrotum, sometimes caused by a sudden build-up of fluid.
• A dull ache in the lower abdomen or the scrotum.
• Pain, discomfort or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
• Enlarged or swollen breasts, caused by the secretion of hormones that stimulate breast growth by the testicular tumor.
Some testicular cancers do not produce any symptoms at all. In addition, there are a variety of other non-cancerous conditions that can produce similar symptoms, such as testicular injury and inflammation, and viral or bacterial infections. It is best to discuss any testicular cancer symptoms you are experiencing with a doctor who can help you understand what condition, if any, you may have.
Information on how to conduct a self-exam is available on the Casper-Natrona County web site.

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