I thought most of this was common knowledge, but I encounter people on a daily basis who don't know, don't care, don't have the time, don't have the means, don't trust damn doctors, don't want to take embarrassing tests etc. All we can do is repeat the message, or better yet, have friends and family repeat the message to loved one!
Colon Cancer
Routine colonoscopy to look for early signs of cancer should begin at age 50 for most people - earlier if there is a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, or other risk factors (obesity, diabetes, low fiber/high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle).
Prostate Cancer
First prostate exam (digital rectal exam) or PSA blood test at age 40-45. Depending on results, family history, and other markers, probably won't need annual screening until age 50+
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer affects teens and younger men, particularly those between ages 15 and 34. Once you hit puberty, you should do a self exam frequently (in between the Fap, Fap, Fap - you're down there any ways)
Testicular self exam (TSE) :
Do it during or after a hot shower when the skin is relaxed.
Examine one testicle at a time. Use both hands to gently roll each testicle (with slight pressure) between your fingers. Place your thumbs over the top of your testicle, with the index and middle fingers of each hand behind the testicle, and then roll it between your fingers.
When examining each testicle, feel for any lumps or bumps along the front or sides. Lumps may be as small as a piece of rice or a pea.
Remember that one testicle is slightly larger than the other for most guys - this is also normal.
Also the epididymis (the sperm-carrying tube) is a normal lump at the top and back of the testicle.
Breast Cancer
Under 40, perform breast self-exam regularly (or get your husband/boy friend to do!). This is not a reliable test because many women don't know how to do this properly, so get a brochure, watch a video or ask your doctor. If done properly, it can be very effective. http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/BreastSelfExam.html
Over 40, mammograms are highly encouraged (esp. if there is a family history). Over 50 - just do it!
Cervical Cancer
Pap smear. Get it done annually if you are 21+. Get it done if you are under 21 and sexually active.
HPV vaccination - it's damn effective!
Skin Cancer
Adults should exam their skin regularly. Look for new lesions, or lesions that change in size, shape and colour. Look for moles that are asymmetrical, have an irregular border, or non-uniform pigmentation.
Other Cancers
Unfortunately, most cancers don't have easily observable signs or symptoms, nor are there common screening procedures. Therefore they are often detected late. That's also why these cancers (pancreatic, ovarian, liver etc) often have a very poor outcome. Perhaps for Liver Cancer one can get the Hepatitis B vaccination - a significant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (most common form of liver cancer). Hep. B is not overly common in N.A., but if you travel the world you may be exposed. Even without the liver cancer risk, Hep.B is a crappy disease to have; the immunity lasts for 20 years+
What else can you do? In addition to the above screens, exercise and eat healthy (obesity is a huge risk factor for most cancers), don't smoke, don't binge drink (a drink or two occasionally is fine).
more detail if requested
I'm sick of people I care about getting this frak'n disease. Help put me out of work!
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I'm only in my 30's, but I had a prostate exam very recently. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Many years ago, I had an ultrasound on my nuts. THAT was not fun. I swear they dug up the hottest technician to perform the exam. I think she was flirting with me too.... but I digress.
The piece of mind that comes with knowing I don't have cancer makes both tests worth it.
Prostate Cancer
First prostate exam (digital rectal exam) or PSA blood test at age 40-45. Depending on results, family history, and other markers, probably won't need annual screening until age 50+
WTF? 40-45? My doc has been giving me these since I was 7..
Seriously though I have had one, they aren't as bad as you'd think. Nothing different than an average Saturday night for fotze..
__________________ "In brightest day, in blackest night / No evil shall escape my sight / Let those who worship evil's might / Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"
I'm only in my 30's, but I had a prostate exam very recently. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Many years ago, I had an ultrasound on my nuts. THAT was not fun. I swear they dug up the hottest technician to perform the exam. I think she was flirting with me too.... but I digress.
The piece of mind that comes with knowing I don't have cancer makes both tests worth it.
I had an ultrasound on my nuts too, i was praying it was some ugly girl, luckily it was. Also had the colonoscopy, not as bad as you'd think. Takes away a lot of worry's.
Im just going to repost this info and a little bit about my story from August of 2009 if Canada 02 doesn't mind.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gundo
I felt the need to post this after being diagnosed with Testicular Cancer for the second time in my young life, my first diagnosis when I was 19 my most recent 3 days after my 27th birthday two and a half weeks ago.
My first diagnosis 8 years ago I knew nothing about TC and was to macho to go see a doctor about a lump on my testicle for about 3-4 weeks. It literally got to the point where I could not stand up right without being in pain and had my girlfriend (now my wife) drag me to a walk-in clinic. Within 48 hours I was diagnosed in and back out of surgery with the removal of a 4cm lump on my right testicle , pathology ensued determining exactly what type of Cancer it was followed by 4 rounds of Chemotherapy over the following 4 months.
This second diagnosis was the result of me educating myself on what I have been through and reading tons of info since then. As soon as I felt something odd I went and seen my family doctor and here I am about 3 weeks after the fact resting after a second surgery with a positive prognosis from my team of doctors thanks to my early detection.
I just feel that here is not nearly enough knowledge about TC in the public eye or given to men both young and old as there is about other types of Cancer. Aside from the fact Lance Armstrong/Phil Kessel and a handful of other famous people have had it what do you really know about Testicular Cancer?
I know these are just a bunch of links but the information they provide is invaluable when it comes to early diagnosis of TC which ultimately can save yours or someone you may knows life. And of course if only one person can become enlightened from this post I feel my job has been done.
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Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
Exp:
Had a Colonoscopy last spring and I'm glad it only has to be done every 3 years. I hated the cleaning out process as the stuff they give to drink is horrible tasting. Then there's the sticking of a probe up your rear end to take images of your Colon. Thank god they sedate you for that.
I had an ultrasound on my nuts too, i was praying it was some ugly girl, luckily it was. Also had the colonoscopy, not as bad as you'd think. Takes away a lot of worry's.
So let me get this straight. there was a girl fondling your nuts and you were hoping for the ugly one?
My friend you would make a stunning wingman. Shall we hit the town this weekend?
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although we were discussing this at work today, had to have a catheter inserted when i was in the hospital once and I was disappointed that it was an old fat nurse. But then i was thinking in hindsight that it might be a even more uncomfortable experience with a hottie though, something tells me a hottie trying to ram a catheter down your dick while your getting a chubby might hurt just a little bit. Not to mention I was 17 at the time and that thing was liable to go off in a stiff breeze...
I thought most of this was common knowledge, but I encounter people on a daily basis who don't know, don't care, don't have the time, don't have the means, don't trust damn doctors, don't want to take embarrassing tests etc. All we can do is repeat the message, or better yet, have friends and family repeat the message to loved one!
Colon Cancer
Routine colonoscopy to look for early signs of cancer should begin at age 50 for most people - earlier if there is a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, or other risk factors (obesity, diabetes, low fiber/high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle).
Prostate Cancer
First prostate exam (digital rectal exam) or PSA blood test at age 40-45. Depending on results, family history, and other markers, probably won't need annual screening until age 50+
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer affects teens and younger men, particularly those between ages 15 and 34. Once you hit puberty, you should do a self exam frequently (in between the Fap, Fap, Fap - you're down there any ways)
Testicular self exam (TSE) :
Do it during or after a hot shower when the skin is relaxed.
Examine one testicle at a time. Use both hands to gently roll each testicle (with slight pressure) between your fingers. Place your thumbs over the top of your testicle, with the index and middle fingers of each hand behind the testicle, and then roll it between your fingers.
When examining each testicle, feel for any lumps or bumps along the front or sides. Lumps may be as small as a piece of rice or a pea.
Remember that one testicle is slightly larger than the other for most guys - this is also normal.
Also the epididymis (the sperm-carrying tube) is a normal lump at the top and back of the testicle.
Breast Cancer
Under 40, perform breast self-exam regularly (or get your husband/boy friend to do!). This is not a reliable test because many women don't know how to do this properly, so get a brochure, watch a video or ask your doctor. If done properly, it can be very effective. http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/BreastSelfExam.html
Over 40, mammograms are highly encouraged (esp. if there is a family history). Over 50 - just do it!
Cervical Cancer
Pap smear. Get it done annually if you are 21+. Get it done if you are under 21 and sexually active.
HPV vaccination - it's damn effective!
Skin Cancer
Adults should exam their skin regularly. Look for new lesions, or lesions that change in size, shape and colour. Look for moles that are asymmetrical, have an irregular border, or non-uniform pigmentation.
Other Cancers
Unfortunately, most cancers don't have easily observable signs or symptoms, nor are there common screening procedures. Therefore they are often detected late. That's also why these cancers (pancreatic, ovarian, liver etc) often have a very poor outcome. Perhaps for Liver Cancer one can get the Hepatitis B vaccination - a significant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (most common form of liver cancer). Hep. B is not overly common in N.A., but if you travel the world you may be exposed. Even without the liver cancer risk, Hep.B is a crappy disease to have; the immunity lasts for 20 years+
What else can you do? In addition to the above screens, exercise and eat healthy (obesity is a huge risk factor for most cancers), don't smoke, don't binge drink (a drink or two occasionally is fine).
more detail if requested
I'm sick of people I care about getting this frak'n disease. Help put me out of work!
great topic! don't want to nitpick, but self-breast examination is no longer recommended for women as it hasn't been shown to improve outcomes and actually leads to increased morbidity, unnecessary procedures and costs to the health care system.
great topic! don't want to nitpick, but self-breast examination is no longer recommended for women as it hasn't been shown to improve outcomes and actually leads to increased morbidity, unnecessary procedures and costs to the health care system.
yeah, that's why I said the test is unreliable. However, if done properly is still effective, and free. The American Cancer Society considers BSE to be optional from age 20+, but they recommend a clinical breast exam, which is a BSE performed by the doctor. The key is knowing how to do it
Cancer screening - just do it!
