COLON AND RECTUM CANCER

THE FACTS:
Most often strikes men over age 50
Over 75,000 new cases a year
THE GOOD NEWS:
Finding out early can save 4 out of 5 people

STAY ALERT:
Most likely men:
Have ulcerative colitis (a painful condition your doctor can diagnose
Have a family member with colon or rectum cancer
Have a family member with polyps in the colon or rectum
Over age 40: Have a digital rectal exam each year
Over age 50: Ask your doctor what kind of exams you need.

SEE A DOCTOR IF:
You bleed from your rectun
You see blood in your stool
You see a persistent change in your bowel habits
You have cramping pain in your abdomen

PROSTATE CANCER

THE FACTS:
Over 35,000 men die each year from cancer of the prostate gland

THE GOOD NEWS:
9 out of 10 men who find out in time live at least another five years

STAY ALERT:
Over 40? Have a digital rectal exam each year
Over age 50? Have a prostate specific antigen blood test every year
Men over age 65 are most likely to get prostate cancer

SEE A DOCTOR IF:
You have painful or burning urination
You see blood in your urine
You have an inability to urinate or difficulty in starting

TESTICULAR CANCER

THE FACTS:
This cancer affects the male reproductive organs
Most likely to strike men aged 15-34

STAY ALERT:
Once a month, do a self exam on your testes - a doctor can show you how

SEE A DOCTOR IF:
You find a painful swelling
You have a feeling of heaviness
You find a hard lump the size of a pea
You have been told that your testicles never descended

LUNG CANCER

THE FACTS:
Kills more men than any other cancer - approximately 95,000 die each year
9 out of 10 men who die from lung cancer smoke cigarettes
3 out of 4 men who get any kind of cancer smoke cigarettes
A chest x-ray won't always warn you in time

THE GOOD NEWS:
If you quit early enough, most damage from smoking will heal
Not smoking helps prevent many diseases, not just lung cancer

STAY ALERT:
No cigarette is safe! Don't smoke - especially if you work with asbestos or other toxic materials
Can't quit yet? Smoke less, especially low tar and nicotine cigarettes
Avoid tobacco products (chewing tobacco, snuff) and stay away from people who smoke

SEE A DOCTOR IF:
You have a nagging or painful cough that doesn't go away
You cough up blood
Your chest hurts all the time

SKIN CANCER

THE FACTS:
Men with light skin are more likely to get it
About 4,000 men die each yeasr from melanoma, a serious skin cancer

THE GOOD NEWS:
Most skin cancers can be cured

STAY ALERT:
Avoid too much exposure to the sun
When you work outside, or spend time in the sun, make sure you cover up exposed skin
Wear clothing that covers head, arms, neck, legs
Use a "sun blocker" lotion or cream

SEE A DOCTOR IF:
A birthmark, mole, or other spot on your skin starts to change

MEN AND CANCER