Cancer is the umbrella heading for a group of more than 100 diseases. Each separate disease may differ in a number of ways but each one is a disease of some of the body's cells. In a healthy body, cells divide and grow and replace themselves in a controlled manner. When cells begin to grow too rapidly and without order, tumors are formed. These tumors may be benign, noncancerous growths, which do not spread to other parts of the body, or malignant, cancerous growths, which destroy healthy tissues and spread within the body.

An estimated 643,000 American men will be diagnosed with cancer. Men's health is highlighted in the month of June, which provides an ideal forum to focus attention on the types of cancer unique to men-prostate, testicular, and penile cancer. These three male only cancers have high survival rates. Men also have a higher incidence of other cancers, such as lung, liver, bladder and kidney cancer, than women have.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, excluding skin cancer, and is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of death in men. There are an estimated 198,000 expected new cases in the U.S. this year. However, the good news is with early detection, this serious disease can be successfully treated.

Possible risk factors for prostate cancer include:

*African-American race (nearly twice as high as white men)
*Increasing age (75% newly diagnosed cases are more than 65 years old)
*Family history of prostate cancer (two to threefold increase in risk)
*Diet (a high animal fat diet may approximately double the risk)
*Hormonal factors (high plasma testosterone levels may play a role)

Signs and symptoms for prostate cancer include the following: difficulty with urination; blood in the urine or semen; pain or burning in urination; painful ejaculation; continuing pain in lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs. In its earliest stages, prostate cancer usually causes no pain or symptoms. Consequently, it becomes increasingly important to have regular checkups. A PSA blood test and digital rectal examination of the prostate are the most common checkup tools for detecting prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommended guidelines for prostate cancer screening are as follows:

Men more than 50 years old discuss the need for regular PSA testing and digital rectal examination with their health care provider. Men in high-risk groups may want to consider beginning PSA testing and getting a digital rectal examination before they reach the age of 50 years old.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is rare--it accounts for only 1% of all cancer, which affects American men. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 7,200 new cases of testicular cancer identified this year. It is more common in white men than black men. It is almost always curable if found early. Men find most testicular cancers themselves. It is one of the most common cancers in young men between the ages of 15 and 34 but can occur in other age groups. The American Cancer Society lists the following warning signs:

*A lump in either testicle
*Any enlargement of a testicle
*A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
*A dull ache in the lower abdomen or the groin
*A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
*Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
*Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts or reduced sexual desire

If any of these symptoms lasts as long as two weeks, a doctor's evaluation is necessary. The outlook is excellent--a large majority of testicular cancer patients are cured and it seldom recurs after a patient has been free of the disease for three years.

Penile Cancer

Around 1,200 American men will be diagnosed with penile cancer this year. It occurs most commonly in uncircumcised men and most patients are over 50 years old when diagnosed. See your physician is you experience any of the following symptoms:

*Growths or sores on the penis
*Thickening of the skin
*Unusual discharge near the head of the penis
*Bleeding
*Penile cancer is highly curable if caught early.  

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