Cancer

The cancer rates in Queensland are high compared to global standards, and men have a higher likelihood of developing cancer than females. Up to one third of cancers can be prevented, and a further third can be detected early, which means there are things you can do to reduce your personal risk. These include health and wellbeing behaviours, screening participation, and a proactive approach to monitoring your health. The following are the most common cancers affecting Queensland men.

• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Bowel cancer
• Skin cancer
• Testicular cancer

Lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the major cause of death from cancer for men in Queensland.

The leading risk factor for lung cancer is tobacco smoking, causing an estimated 81% of cancer in Queensland. It is now well known that there is no safe level of smoking and that exposure to passive smoking is also harmful to health, particularly of children.

There are many benefits to quitting smoking, from improved health to saving money. But what you may not know is:

• 3 months after quitting, your lung function and circulation improves
• 1 year after quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is halved compared to continuing smokers
• 10 years after quitting, the chances of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a continuing smoker, and will further decrease. Risk of cancers of the bladder, kidney and pancreas also decrease
• 15 years after quitting, the risk of heart disease and risk of death is about the same as for those who have never smoked.

Find out more about smoking and how to quit.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for Queensland men.

The risk of getting prostate cancer increases as you get older, however there are ways of checking the health of your prostate. Talk to your doctor for options, particularly if you’re over 40 and if you have a history of prostate cancer in your family.

For more information on prostate cancer visit Cancer Council Queensland.

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is a common cancer diagnosed in Queensland men. The good news is that bowel cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and, if detected early, 9 out of 10 cases are successfully treated.

Changes in your regular bowel habits, bleeding from your rectum or blood in the toilet, unexplained tiredness and abdominal pain are some early warning signs that you should discuss with your health care provider.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program sends Australians aged 50–74 years a bowel cancer screening kit every two years. You simply do a test in the privacy of your own home, and then send off the samples in the mail. It may sound a little messy, but it is easier than it seems, and it could save your life.

One of the best ways of reducing your risk of developing bowel cancer is to stay healthy. Being physically active, keeping a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol intake, not smoking, and eating well with plenty of fruit, vegies, high-fibre food and not eating too much red or processed meat can help reduce your risk.

For more information about bowel cancer please visit Cancer Council Queensland.

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is common. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, and Queensland has the highest rate in Australia.

Queensland’s climate encourages an outdoor lifestyle, but exposure to the sun comes with risks. Skin damage can occur after 10 minutes of sun exposure when the ultraviolet (UV) index is at 3 or above. In Queensland, the UV index is 3 or above all year round, even in winter.

Skin cancer is preventable. The key prevention messages for Queenslanders are protection from the sun and early detection are the best ways to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Five ways to reduce your risk