Various forms of cancer in Men and the reasons

Data from population based cancer registries show that the most frequently reported cancer sites in males are lung, oesophagus, stomach, and larynx. Here is a list of cancers that are seen in men:

1) Lung cancer: Smoking remains the major cause for lung cancers. However, lung cancer has also been seen in people who have never smoked. The reasons for this could be secondhand smoke (breathing the smoke of others), air pollution, radon gas, asbestos, exposure to cancer causing chemicals among others.

2) Oesophagus cancer: The oesophagus is the wind and food pipe that runs from the throat to the stomach. The cancer cells affect the inside of the esophagus. Though it is not clear what causes esophageal cancer, it is believed to occur when cells in the esophagus develop errors (mutations) in their DNA.

3) Stomach/Gastric cancer: Thesecond most frequent cancer and a leading cause of death from cancer. It can develop in any part of the stomach and spread to other organs. Though the actual cause is still being researched, it has been seen that there are certain risk factors like smoking, family history, poor diet, obesity; lack of exercise, infection with H. pylorican are the known risk factors associated with stomach cancer.

4) Larynx cancer: The larynx which is called the voice box, is a 2-inch-long, tube-shaped organ in the neck. It has been seen that men are four times more likely than women to get cancer of the larynx. The risk factors for this cancer are age, smoking, alcohol, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD- which causes stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus), occupation (workers exposed to sulfuric acid mist, nickel , asbestos )have an increased risk of laryngeal cancer.

5) Breast cancer: Men can also develop breast cancer as they also have breast tissue. There are 5 different kinds of breast cancers seen in men: Ductal carcinoma, Invasive ductal carcinoma, Invasive lobular carcinoma, Lobular carcinoma and Paget disease of the nipple.

6) Prostate cancer: The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man′s reproductive system. It is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. Diet and genetics have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer.

7) Oral cancers: Oral cancers account for four in ten of all cancers in India.Chewing tobacco is one of main risk factors for the development of oral cancer. This is because of the popularity of chewing betel quid’s, tobacco and, a mixture of tobacco, leaves and spices among the Indian population.

Brought to you in association with Desi Dieter