Men's Health - Men's Health Line

Cancer happens when a gene becomes damaged and the cell begins to grow out of control.

Cancer in its many forms is not only the principle cause of death in adult men, it is also an important cause of potential years of life lost killing many boys and young men in their prime life.

Although the exact causes of most types of cancer are yet to be elucidated, evidence shows that our lifestyles such as smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse and exposure to radiation are the most important factors associated with cancer. Genetic inheritance plays only a minor part.

Different cancers can present in different ways, and some cancers often go unnoticed. Being "cancer smart" means learning about their early signs and symptoms, getting to know your body, being aware of any abnormal change, and spotting its early warning signs, such as:

Coughs that do not go away

Blood in sputum and nasal secretion

A hoarseness that hangs around

Change in bowel habit, or blood in urine or stool

Lumps in neck, abdomen or other part of the body

Sores or ulcers that do not heal

A mole that changes shape, size and colour

Persistent loss of appetite or difficulty in swallowing

A persistent loss of weight that cannot be explained

The above symptoms may not necessarily indicate the presence of underlying cancerous disease, but they may be important early warnings. So it is wise to consult a doctor if you have queries.

"Cancer smart" also means adopting a healthy lifestyle, or making some habit changes that could help you cut your risk of developing cancer. Tips for being cancer smart include:

Quit smoking

Cut back on fatty foods and eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, grains and cereals

Exercise regularly

Limit alcohol intake

Taking extra skin care in the sun

Avoid unnecessary stress

Make early detection and follow the cancer screening guidelines, especially if you have a family history of cancer

Follow all the health and safety regulations if you work with dangerous chemicals or radiation

Vaccinate against hepatitis B

If you notice any symptoms as described above, you should consult a doctor immediately. Cancer can be diagnosed by x-rays, blood tests, urine tests, stool tests, and procedures to obtain tissue samples from specific or related sites for laboratory examination.

Early treatment of a cancerous tumour, before it gets too big or spreads, means better chance of recovery. Treatment for cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy (use of anti-cancer or hormonal drugs), or radiotherapy (use of x-rays to target and kill cancer cells), alone or in combination. The doctor will recommend the optimal treatment depending on the sites involved and the size of the tumour, along with the extent to which it affects the patient's life, and the presence of any other medical conditions.

Everyone deals with cancer differently. However, early detection and staying optimistic about the treatment are all the more important. If you concern about or have a diagnosis of cancer, you may take the following suggestions in addition to the above-mentioned preventive tips as a guide:

Learn more about the disease and its treatment

Talk to someone (your family, close friends, or a counselor) about how you feel

Learn how to cooperate with the people involved with your care, including the health professionals, your family and friends.

Take part in support groups to boost the ability to self-care and to obtain mutual support.

Eat properly and have a low fat healthy diet.

Exercise regularly under medical supervision.

Avoid stress, learn relaxation techniques and do things that you can enjoy.

If you have any suspicions, you should seek medical advice.

For many years, cancer has been the number one killer disease in Hong Kong. In 2006, 7,386 deaths in men were due to cancer and the number of new cases of cancer in men had increased. For males, the most common cancers involved lung, colon/rectum and liver.

Smoking increases your risk of various types of cancer, such as lung, mouth, throat and oesophageal cancer.

Adapting a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent cancer.

Warning Signs On Health

Smoke Free & Fresh

Drink Smart

Eat Smart

Be Active, Be Fit

Be Sunsmart!

Good tricks for weight control?

Caloric Expenditure Calculator

Nicotine Dependency

Sensible Drinking

Food Analyzer

Weight Control - BMI

Weight Control - WHR

Quiz on Cancer Prevention

Cancer Hotline
"Cancer Comrades" Cancer
Hotline Opening : 8 pm to 10 pm
Phone: 2987 8933

Support Group
Hong Kong Anti-cancer Society
Phone: 2814 1232

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