Men Can Also Get Breast Cancer: What You Need to Know

Breast cancer is understandably connected to women because of their anatomical figures. Millions of women march and fight against this ailment each year, but there are a small percentage of men dealing with the same issue. Men breast cancer is a serious disease that's often overlooked by both patients and their caregivers. As you enter your retirement years, it's time to cast a light on this ailment that can be life threatening.

Breast Tissue Defined

A common misconception is that men have no breast tissue at all. However, both males and females start out with very similar structures as fetuses and children. Hitting puberty is where the differences begin. Women develop their breasts while males continue with flat chests. Within the male chest is a mixture of ducts and stroma, which are conduits and fatty tissue, respectively. Males can have some lobules, but they're normally small in number because these features produce milk in pregnant women. Because of the specific tissues present in every male, men can get breast cancer as their bodies mature into the senior years.

The Lymph Connection

Men and women don't differ very greatly when it comes to the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes and vessels between them move waste products in and out of the surrounding tissues. This system essentially maintains a clean body. However, it can also create a conduit for cancer cells. Lymph nodes dot the male chest where a line of nodes extends in a diagonal fashion from the armpit and into the collarbone. Another node collection stretches vertically above the sternum bone. If cancerous growths occur within male breast tissue, the mutated cells can quickly travel into the lymphatic system and into the rest of the body. Doctors are always concerned about lymphatic involvement for both men and women if cancer is detected at the breast tissue.

Lumps and Possible Pain

Men should be aware if there's cancer in their family's history. Whether the ailment struck males or females, any cancer fights should be considered as risk factors in your life. Be aware of any unusual growths across the chest. These areas may not be tender or painful at all. Other men notice some throbbing in these affected regions. If you're questioning any tissue in the chest area, bring it up to your doctor. Further tests can clarify the situation.

Stigma With Male Breast Cancer

A major concern for men when it comes to breast cancer is the stigma associated with it. It's considered a women's ailment so overlooking a possible diagnosis by avoiding the doctor is all too common. Men might wait until a lump is entirely obvious or when discharge releases from the nipple region. Waiting out this time period can mean the difference between a benign and malignant diagnosis. Men must feel comfortable with their doctors in order to point out concerns before they worsen.

Be observant about every part of your body, including the chest area. Give yourself exams where you press on the skin and underlying tissue each month. Men can get breast cancer so catching it early on is the key to a long life. There's so much more in life to enjoy as retirement stretches on for several decades.

Belly Fat and Future Cancer Risk

Studies suggest that excess belly fat leads to a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, and new studies show it may play a part in some forms of cancer. Although it is no secret extra weight increases the chances of someone developing cancer, scientists now believe that belly fat can predict a person's risk of developing cancer just like a person's body mass index (BMI). Research suggests that as a person's waistline increases, so does their chances of getting certain types of cancer, including pancreatic, breast and colorectal cancer. 

Waistline Measurements and Cancer
According to the World Health Organization, adding about 11 centimeters to your waistline could increase your chances of developing an obesity-related cancer by 13 percent. Also, the WHO stated that an additional 8 centimeters around your waistline can increase your chances of developing bowel cancer by 15 percent. Obesity and excess weight are two of the biggest preventable causes of cancer behind smoking.

If you carry around excess belly fat, it can change the level of your sex hormones, cause your insulin levels to rise and lead to inflammation, which are all known factors of increased levels of cancer. There are 13 types of cancers associated with obesity and excess weight, and bowel cancer is the most common among people with excess belly fat.

Belly Fat is the Most Dangerous Fat
Aside from predicting certain cancer risks, belly fat is particularly troublesome because it is not limited to just one layer of fat. Instead, belly fat also includes visceral fat, which lies deep beneath the abdomen surrounding some of your internal organs. Although belly fat is most commonly linked to poor diet and lack of exercise, aging does play a role. While you age, you start to lose muscle mass and density, which affects how many calories your body burns. Dieticians suggest if you are over 50, you should eat 200 calories less than you did in your 30s.

How Body Weight Affects Cancer Risk
Studies suggest that excess belly fat affects several of your body's mechanisms, including the regulation of cell growth and how certain proteins affect your hormonal levels. These mechanisms may be specific to certain forms of cancer, but Cancer.org states the links between these mechanisms, belly fat and cancer are not yet fully understood.

Weight Loss and Cancer Risk
Evidence continues to show that losing weight, specifically losing belly fat, may reduce the risk of some cancers, including prostate cancer and breast cancer in women and men. Research shows that people who intentionally lose their belly fat reduce the levels of hormones in their bodies most commonly linked to some forms of cancer. A reduction in your hormone levels such as insulin, estrogen and androgen can significantly decrease your risk of cancer, especially aggressive forms of prostate cancer in men.

However, weight loss does far more than decrease your risk of developing cancer. Losing weight can decrease your chances of developing heart disease, diabetes and many other health-related issues. It also reduces your chances of sudden, premature death.

Colon Cancer: What You Need to Know

Colon cancer is a preventable and curable disease. Healthy lifestyle choices and early detection help people diminish the risk for experiencing the ravages of this life-threatening cancer.

Colon cancer is the fourth-most common type of the disease in the country. Approximately 140,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Although, the disease is often deadly because it is diagnosed during its later stages, colon cancer is preventable and curable. While it is the second-leading cause of cancer death, the morbidity rate for colon cancer has been dropping in recent years because of proper screening and healthy lifestyle changes. The following are some essential things that you need to know about colon cancer.

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer

Certain demographics like advanced age and gender play a strong role in your risk for developing colon cancer. Men have a higher risk than women do. In addition to a family history of cancer, other risk factors include ulcerative colitis, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. The consumption of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) in prepared foods as well as red and processed meats, which are typically preserved with nitrates, also increases the risks for developing the disease.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

The most readily identifiable symptoms include changes in bowel habits. These include diarrhea, constipation or the sensation that your bowel is not emptying completely. Your stool may be narrower than usual. You may also notice blood in your stool as well. Colon cancer sufferers may experience frequent gas pains, cramps and bloating as well as vomiting, persistent tiredness and unexplained weight loss.

How Is Colon Cancer Diagnosed

Risk factors and your medical history will determine how often and at what age you should be screened for the disorder. For most patients, doctors recommend that the screening process begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend earlier screenings if your risk factors warrant it. How frequently you are screened depend on the type of tests used and the results. During a colonoscopy, a physician inserts a small camera mounted to a flexible tube that allows the inspection of the entire colon and rectum. A sigmoidoscopy facilitates the examination of a portion of the colon and rectum. In addition to a fecal occult blood test, your doctor may recommend a double-contrast barium enema or a CT colonography to detect the presence of precancerous polyps or cancer.

Treatment Options

Surgery to remove cancerous tissue or precancerous polyps is the most common treatment for colon cancer. Depending upon the location and the stage of the disease, a different surgical approach may be utilized. Your doctor may also recommend radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Ways to Prevent Colon Cancer

Several lifestyle choices can lower your potential of developing colon cancer. Choose to eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetable and dietary fiber. Avoid PHVOs, and reduce the consumption of red and processed meat. If you use tobacco products, ask your physician for recommendations on a cessation program. You should also avoid excess alcohol intake. It is recommended that you exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. You can lower your risk of cancer by shedding excess pounds, especially belly fat. Studies have also shown that a daily low-dose aspirin may reduce your risk of colon cancer.

If you are age 50 or older, you should ask your doctor about screening for colon cancer. You should also seek medical treatment if you notice any of the symptoms persist for longer than a week. The earlier that cancer is detected, the more favorable the treatment outcome. Healthy lifestyle choices can prevent cancer and increase your quality of life.

Skin Care Screenings; Everything You Need to Know

Most skin care screenings involve a visual inspection of your skin by a doctor without having to have any blood work performed. Because skin caner is now the most common type of cancer in the U.S., it has become more important than ever to have regular screenings performed by a dermatologist to prevent and detect skin cancer.

Who Should Schedule a Skin Care Screening?

It is possible to develop skin cancer regardless of your race, ethnicity or skin color. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, but it has a very high cure rate when it is detected early enough to be treated properly. A visual skin care screening from a licensed dermatologist can tell you right away if you are at risk for skin cancer or need any further followup. 

What is Checked During a Skin Care Screening?

A dermatologist will perform a visual inspection of all of your skin. This may require you to undress because you will need to have almost all of your skin totally exposed to be properly checked. This will also involve checking your scalp and the soles of your feet. Your genital skin will not likely be examined unless you bring a specific concern to their attention. 

What Do Dermatologist Search for in a Skin Care Screening?

Dermatologists have been trained to find any type of abnormal growth on your skin to advise whether you should pursue more followup. This could include a rough bump or a sore that will not heal. Also, any moles that are oddly shaped or have an uneven color or large size could be a sign of melanoma. 

What Happens if the Dermatologist Recommends a Biopsy?

If the dermatologist notices a skin lesion that could need more attention during your skin care screening, then they could recommend a simple biopsy. There is no reason to panic if this is the case. It involves taking a small sample of your skin, which the dermatologist will examine under a microscope. This procedure is quick and relatively painless.

Summary: Skin care screenings are one of the best ways to detect and prevent skin cancers. They are quick and painless and involve a visual inspection of your skin by a dermatologist.

Patient Assistance Boosts Attendance at Cancer Screenings

Attending and understanding the importance of regular cancer screenings is not a given for much of the U.S. population. Ethnic minority and low-income patients often face language barriers and other road blocks that put them at risk for missing important screenings and tests. Because of these challenges, there is a huge health disparity amongst lower income families in America. One hospital is looking for creative ways to address this issue, and may have found it with a new program that reaches out to these communities in a positive and helpful way.

At the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)Center for Community Health Improvement, they have found that assigning ‘patient navigators, ‘or professionals who assist patients in receiving the health care they need, improves cancer screening rates by a significant percentage. When more patients begin to attend their screenings, more of the population gains access to the treatment they need.

In MGH’s recent study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, 1,600 patients who were overdue for cancer screenings were assessed from 18 different primary care facilities in Massachusetts. Many of them did not speak English and had missed several check-up appointments in the past, putting them at risk for possible health problems.

800 of the patients were appointed a patient navigator who communicated with them in their native language. The navigators set up times to encourage and educate them about the importance of the screening. They even assisted with difficult issues preventing the patients from attending the screening, helped set up transportation to and from the appointments and attended the doctor visits with them.

Of the patients who had the help of a patient navigator, 32% attended one or more belated cancer screening. Only 18% of the patients who did not have a patient navigator attended at least one overdue screening. The rates of people attending screenings still seems low, but this is a significant start.

Dr. Sanja Percac-Lima, the lead physician and author of the study, believes that the patient navigators help bridge an insurmountable gap between these patients and their doctors and caregiving facilities. Ultimately, the assistance in communication and education improves the quality of health care that an at-risk, low-income patient receives. It makes appointments and screenings more attainable and attractive.

There are health disparities in lower income and non-English speaking communities, and with positive effort and patient assistance tactics, we can address these issues head on. 

New Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines Still Point to Colonoscopy

Health experts in the U.S. are reiterating advice first given in 2008: people should get screened for colon cancer at age 50, and continue getting screened until they are 75 or older. Colorectal cancer is the #2 cause of cancer death in the U.S., with almost 134,000 diagnoses this year. 49,000 of these cases will die from the disease.

People who need to get screened can choose from a variety of methods – the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not endorse one method over the other. Dr. Douglas Owens, former task force member, encourages people to choose the best option personal to them. All options for colon cancer will assist in early detection and decrease the risk of death. The American Cancer Society recommends a colonoscopy screening once every 10 years. Other testing options may require more frequent intervals.

Many doctors, however, suggest that a colonoscopy is the best test available – and consider it the gold standard for preventative care. Dr. Arun Swaminath, director of the inflammatory bowel disease program at Lenox Hill Hospital, explained colonoscopies as being able to do two things at once: identify cancer/polyps and also remove them from the body.

Other tests, he noted, such as stool tests and DNA tests (i.e. Cologuard), will still require a need for a colonoscopy to treat the problem if the tests come back positive.

The USPSTF analyzed various other methods in order to develop new colon cancer screening recommendations. In addition to colonoscopy, tests included CT colonography, which scans the colon, fecal blood tests that look for blood in stool, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Cologuard, a DNA-based stool test, was also included as it’s been recently approved. Panelists advised that each method has pros and cons, and no comparison studies have taken place to prove or disprove effectiveness of one method over another. The new guidelines are recommended for people older than age 50, with a normal colorectal cancer risk. Those with medical histories that have increased their risks may need to be screened more often.

Elderly patients have different guidelines. The panelists suggest that adults over age 76 are at a greater risk for harm and may not benefit from screenings. However, if someone in this age group is healthy and has never been screened before, a screening is suggested. Elderly people should consult their doctors for a consultation. 

Red Foods Linked to a Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer for men. The average man has a one in five chance of developing prostate cancer at some point in his life, but these odds increase for African American men, men over the age of 50, and men with a family history of the disease.

Issues with the prostate are typically identified through a blood test called a PSA, or prostate-specific antigen. High PSA levels can indicate inflammation or infection in addition to cancer, so a biopsy is usually required to further test for prostate cancer.

Previous research has been done to study the effects of nutrition on prostate health and the risk of developing prostate cancer. A vegetarian diet has been proven to protect against prostate cancer. This is likely due to the high level of lycopene in a vegetarian diet. Lycopene is a pigment that gives fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, apricots, and watermelons their red color. Studies show that lycopene can lower PSA levels and reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Some studies have found a benefit in using lycopene supplements, but lycopene is usually beneficial because it comes along with the cancer-fighting nutrients found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Eating red foods cooked in fat, like tomatoes cooked in olive oil, improves the body’s absorption of lycopene compared to eating raw red foods.

Another nutrient that has been proven to reduce the risk of prostate cancer is vitamin D. Vitamin D has a protective effect on the cells that make up the prostate gland. It is still unclear whether receiving vitamin D naturally through sunlight or by taking supplements is more beneficial. However, prostate cancer patients often show low levels of vitamin D in their bloodstream.

When considering preventative measures to stave off prostate cancer, the National Cancer Institute cautions that vitamin D can become toxic when taken in high doses. It is always best to consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Doing our Part

October is known as breast cancer awareness month, and you may notice pink ribbons just about everywhere you look. Between the ages of 20 and 30, one in 2,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. By the time they reach their 70s, one out of eight will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute. The five-year survival rate for those who are diagnosed early is greater than 90 percent. Once breast cancer has reached stage four, that survival rate drops to just 22 percent. Even with a family history of the disease, you can take steps to significantly improve your odds.

1. Breast self-exams
The American Cancer Society has determined that BSEs can be optional, but knowing what your breasts feel like and recognizing early changes can help. Many people have found lumps this way or while in the shower, and being familiar with your own body can help you know when something isn’t right even if there is no noticeable lump.

2. Mammograms
Women over the age of 50 are advised to have regular mammograms, but experts do not fully agree about whether younger women should also have them. Breast tissue tends to be fairly dense until menopause, which can reduce the effectiveness of mammograms. While a mammogram is not a perfect screening tool, it can allow you to find a cancerous growth earlier than you might otherwise, so talk to your doctor about his or her recommendations for you.

3. Risk factors
About 30 percent of patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of the disease, for which mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are largely responsible. The other 70 percent of those who are diagnosed do not. A high BMI, exposure to toxins, older age and a sedentary lifestyle can also increase your risk.

The good news is that while there are many uncontrollable factors when it comes to breast cancer, there are also ways to keep the odds in your favor. Eat a colorful diet rich in red-orange produce and other deeply colored fruits and veggies, and incorporate omega 3 fatty acids, beans, lentils and soy milk into your diet while reducing red meat, alcohol, sugar and high-fat dairy products. Exercise three or more hours a week, and take action to cut stress, which has been shown to stimulate hormones that promote tumor growth.

Watch for symptoms that include lumps, pain or discharge from the nipple. tenderness, dimpling in the skin, unexplained swelling or shrinking in the breast tissue or a nipple that suddenly becomes partially or fully inverted. Even if your risk is lower, regular screening is vital. Men can also get breast cancer, so it is important that they discuss their personal needs with their doctors and determine an appropriate screening schedule.