Essential screening tests for Irish men

Screening tests should not be put on the long finger. Getting the right screening at the right time is vital for every man's wellbeing.

By William Nestor

The Irish Cancer Society is currently running a high profile awareness campaign called: “Prostate - There, I’ve said it”. This campaign is designed to tackle the stigma and embarrassment that surrounds prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in Ireland after skin cancer. Over the course of their lifetime, men have a one in eight chance of developing prostate cancer.  According to the most recent statistics, 2,859 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, with 92% of the cases occurring in men over 55. However, men need to be reassured that prostate cancer is increasingly a disease that men live with rather than die of.

With this in mind, JOE tells you about five screening tests which shouldn’t be avoided, at any cost.

Testicular Cancer

In most cases, the exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown. Although it is still quite rare, the number of men who develop testicular cancer has been steadily increasing for the past few years. The reason for this is not known, but research is being conducted continuously into possible causes.

Most lumps in the testicles do not turn out to be cancer. However, if your doctor confirms that you have an unusual lump or swelling, you may be sent to a specialist (called a urologist) for further tests. The screening methods from here on are blood tests, a testicular ultrasound and/or a CT scan for the abdomen, pelvis and thorax.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. In 2009 there were 7424 cases of skin cancers and 721 of melanoma. But numbers are rising each year. More men than women develop skin cancer, generally seen as because they work outdoors more and play sport.

The main cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. There are two types of UV light that reach the Earth - UVA and UVB - and the bad news is that both are harmful.

Skin cancers do not all look the same. They can appear as any of the following:

• A small lump
• Flat, red spot
• Firm, red lump
• A lump or spot that is tender to touch
• An ulcer that will not heal
• A lump with a scaly or horny top
• Rough, scaly patches

Unfortunately, there is no national screening programme for skin cancer. The best way to screen yourself is by checking your skin from head to toe every month.

Visit your GP who will examine your skin carefully. He or she can then decide to refer you to a dermatologist for more tests and treatment. Some GPs may take a sample of the affected skin and have it tested. However, many doctors prefer that a skin specialist removes any suspected skin cancer.

Prostate Cancer

Approximately 2,400 men develop prostate cancer in Ireland annually. About 550 men here die each year from the disease, with men in the west experiencing the highest death rates.

The main risk factor for prostate cancer is advanced age, with 80 per cent of cases occurring in men over the age of 65.

A diagnosis of prostate cancer is usually made by a combination of a rectal examination and the finding of an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood.

At present, there is no screening program in Ireland for prostate cancer. There has been much debate and research among health care workers about the possible benefits of a screening program.

Men need to make an informed choice on an individual basis whether or not to have their PSA tested. For more information on making the decision, go here.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Your risk for high blood pressure increases with age. It's also related to your weight and lifestyle.

High blood pressure can lead to severe complications without any prior symptoms, including an aneurysm — dangerous ballooning of an artery. But it can be treated. When it is, you may reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. The bottom line: Know your blood pressure. If it's high, work with your doctor to manage it.

Blood pressure readings give two numbers. The first (systolic) is the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, and in between those two is prehypertension — a major milestone on the road to high blood pressure. How often blood pressure should be checked depends on how high it is and what other risk factors you have.

STIs

Ireland has seen a big increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in recent years. The trend can be partly due to our recent economic boom, but also the fact that we have a young and very active population. Campaigns have failed to decrease STIs in the Irish Population.

Sexually transmitted diseases have been on the increase since 1995, with the most substantial increases occurring among teenagers and homosexual men. New infections were highest among females aged between 16 and 19, followed by males aged 20 to 24.

JOE has previously done some investigation into the nasty little infection - go here to read more - or if you think you have one, free STI tests are available from the clinic at St James's Hospital.