Men's cancer screening

There are several types of cancer that can strike men. The most common cancer killer in men is lung cancer, followed by skin cancer. Prostate cancer ranks third among cancer deaths in men, taking the lives of more than 30 thousand men each year. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor: painful or burning urination, blood in your urine, an inability to urinate, or difficulty in starting. Men should have an annual digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test at 50, younger if they are African American or have a family history of the disease. Colon and rectal cancer is the fourth leading cancer killer in men, most often occurring after age 50. Go to your doctor if you bleed from the rectum, see blood in your stool, have a persistent change in bowel movements, or if you have cramping pain in your abdomen. You should get screened for colorectal cancer after age 50, younger if you have a family history of the disease. Testicular cancer affects the male reproductive organs and is most likely to strike men aged 15 to 35. Men in this age group should do a testicular self-exam once a month. You should see your doctor if you find swelling, a hard lump the size of a pea, have a feeling of heaviness, or have been told that your testicles never descended. For more information about cancer screening, contact a healthcare professional.