Cancer screening for men

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The basics of cancer screening are simple: stay fit, stay slim and don't drink. The most important tips for men aged 20, 30, 40 and 50.

Good news for men: The best cancer prevention is your own body. Those who manage to stay slim and fit into old age optimize their self-healing powers and have a good chance of fending off an impending cancer disease on their own. A man can take precautions at a young age - with little effort and (almost) without setting foot in a doctor's office. explains the most important measures for the different phases of life.

Health care is certainly not one of the favorite topics of the stronger sex. Renowned American cancer researchers * have therefore tailored a guide to cancer prevention specifically to meet the needs of men at different stages of life. In principle, a healthy lifestyle is not a question of age, emphasizes Therese Brevers, director of MD Anderson's Cancer Prevention Center at the University of Texas. She calls on all men to take the tips to heart - even if they are primarily aimed at younger or older people Judge gentlemen.

Alcohol is not your friend

Real men don't drink like girls do. This may bring recognition from the pub mates, but the sixth beer at the latest is counterproductive for your health. Alcohol increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, larynx cancer, and other malignant tumors. So you don't have to become a fun-free teetotaler right away. Stay on the safe side with a maximum of two alcoholic drinks per day.

Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer. So keep your hands off glowing sticks of all kinds right from the start.

Muscles yes, stress no

Sad but true: after the 30th birthday, muscle mass disappears. You should now take countermeasures at the latest. Targeted strength training stops muscle wasting and strengthens the bones. In addition, regular exercise increases your basal metabolic rate. You burn more calories and don't put on bacon. A healthy body weight is the cornerstone of your health care. Medical studies suggest that excess pounds increase the risk of cancer.

Men in their 30s have achieved a lot. You have responsibilities in your job, maybe you have started a family. Unfortunately, the greater the responsibility, the greater the risk of stress. But chronic stress is a real health risk. It makes you sleep poorly, has a bump in the stomach and makes you more susceptible to all kinds of diseases, including cancer. Pay attention to a healthy balance between activity and relaxation and take time again and again for your own private breaks, for example a massage or a yoga class. Yes, men are also allowed to do yoga! In acute situations it can help to inhale and exhale slowly and calmly.

"No" to the belly

The older you get, the slower your metabolism works. Anyone who sticks in like a 16-year-old at the age of 40 will sooner or later be able to look down on a stately belly. However, excess pounds are always a health risk. They are likely to promote the growth of malignant tumors.

With sport you can prevent the "prosperity". Regular exercise also keeps your bowels busy, and a well-functioning digestion, in turn, reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Choose carefully what ends up on your plate. It should be varied and low in fat. Fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes, rice and whole grain products are perfect sources of energy. Put fresh fish on the menu regularly. Eat little meat, and if so, it should be fresh. Be sparing with cheese and sausage products and use low-fat options. Are you still sitting in front of the menu, perplexed? Then ask your partner. Most women are experts in low-calorie treats!

At 50: old enough for the check-up

A good car needs regular maintenance. The same goes for a mature male body. Sport, a healthy diet, at most moderate alcohol consumption and abstinence from nicotine should be the standard program for the "checkbook-tidy" man. In addition, there is an annual basic check-up at the family doctor.

Most cancers occur from the age of 50, which is why various early detection examinations are now also useful. Almost all tumors are easier to treat the sooner they are discovered. In the early stages or preliminary stages of cancer, the therapy is usually less stressful.

The most common cancer in men grows in the prostate. That is why every man aged 45 and over should go to a prostate cancer check-up once a year - preferably to a urologist.

Colon cancer, the second most common type of cancer, is also more common with age. The malignant tumors in the intestine usually develop from benign mucosal growths. If these are recognized and removed in good time, the cancer does not develop in the first place. Go for a colonoscopy. If the results are normal, it is sufficient to repeat this examination ten years later.

Make an appointment with the dermatologist. Statutory health insurances pay for skin cancer screening every two years. The doctor examines your moles and can remove any changes that are suspected of being cancerous in good time.

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