Cancer in men is a major public health issue that is a leading cause of death in men in both Canada and the USA. In this blog post, I will provide an overview of the current situation of cancer in men in these two countries, based on the latest available statistics.
I am a Prostate Cancer Survivor.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a group of diseases that occur when cells in the body grow abnormally and uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system. There are more than 200 types of cancer, each with different causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes.
How common is cancer in men in Canada and the USA?
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it is estimated that there will be 233,900 new cancer cases and 85,100 cancer deaths in Canada in 2022. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada and is responsible for 28.2% of all deaths. Of these new cases, 121,100 will be diagnosed in men and 45,100 men will die from cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 1,806,590 new cancer cases and 599,274 cancer deaths in the USA in 2020. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the USA after heart disease and is responsible for 21.3% of all deaths. Of these new cases, 874,478 were diagnosed in men and 299,046 men died from cancer.
What are the most common types of cancer in men?
The four most common types of cancer in men are lung, prostate, colorectal and bladder cancers. These four cancers account for 46% of all new cancer cases in men in Canada and 44% of all new cancer cases in men in the USA.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in men and also the leading cause of cancer death in both countries. It is estimated that 13% of all new cancer cases and 25% of all cancer deaths in men will be due to lung cancer in Canada in 2022. In the USA, lung cancer accounted for 13% of all new cancer cases and 23% of all cancer deaths in men in 2020.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men and also the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. It is estimated that 21% of all new cancer cases in men will be due to prostate cancer in Canada in 2022. In the USA, prostate cancer accounted for 20% of all new cancer cases in men in 2020. However, prostate cancer has a high survival rate and is not among the top causes of cancer death in men.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men and also the second leading cause of cancer death in both countries. It is estimated that 12% of all new cancer cases and 11% of all cancer deaths in men will be due to colorectal cancer in Canada in 2022. In the USA, colorectal cancer accounted for 10% of all new cancer cases and 9% of all cancer deaths in men in 2020.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men and also among the top ten causes of cancer death in both countries. It is estimated that 6% of all new cancer cases and 3% of all cancer deaths in men will be due to bladder cancer in Canada in 2022. In the USA, bladder cancer accounted for 5% of all new cancer cases and 3% of all cancer deaths in men in 2020.
What are the risk factors for developing or dying from cancer?
The risk factors for developing or dying from cancer vary depending on the type of
cancer. However, some general risk factors include:
- Age: The risk of developing or dying from most cancers increases with age.
- Genetics: Some cancers are inherited or have a strong family history.
- Lifestyle: Some behaviors or habits can increase or decrease the risk of certain cancers, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, sun exposure, etc.
- Environment: Some exposures or pollutants can increase or decrease the risk of certain cancers, such as radon, asbestos, pesticides, etc.
- Infections: Some viruses or bacteria can cause or contribute to certain cancers, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B or C, Helicobacter pylori, etc.
- Screening: Some tests or procedures can detect some cancers early or prevent them from developing, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), the colonoscopy, etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of cancer?
The signs and symptoms of cancer depend on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, the size of the tumor, and the effects of the tumor on nearby organs or tissues. However, some general signs and symptoms that may indicate cancer include:
- A lump or swelling in any part of the body
- A change in the size, shape, or color of a mole or a wart
- A sore that does not heal or bleeds easily
- A cough or hoarseness that does not go away
- A change in bowel or bladder habits
- Difficulty swallowing or indigestion
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Unexplained fever, night sweats, or fatigue
- Persistent pain in any part of the body
- Unusual bleeding or discharge from any opening in the body
It is important to note that these signs and symptoms are not specific to cancer and may be caused by other conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor if any of these signs and symptoms persist or worsen.
How is cancer diagnosed and treated?
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer depend on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, the overall health of the patient, and the preferences of the patient. However, some general steps involved in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer include:
- Medical history and physical examination: The doctor will ask about the patient’s personal and family history of cancer, as well as any signs and symptoms that the patient may have. The doctor will also examine the patient’s body for any abnormality or indication of cancer.
- Diagnostic tests: The doctor may order one or more tests to confirm or rule out the presence of cancer, such as blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests (such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, etc.), biopsy (taking a sample of tissue for microscopic examination), etc.
- Staging: The doctor will determine the extent or spread of the cancer in the body, based on the results of the diagnostic tests. The staging system may vary depending on the type of cancer, but it usually involves a number from 0 to 4, where 0 means no evidence of cancer and 4 means advanced or metastatic cancer.
- Treatment: The doctor will recommend one or more treatment options for the patient, based on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences. The treatment options may include surgery (removing part or all of the tumor), radiation therapy (using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells), chemotherapy (using drugs to kill cancer cells), immunotherapy (using substances that stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells), targeted therapy (using drugs that target specific features of cancer cells), hormone therapy (using drugs that interfere with hormone production or action that affect cancer growth), etc.
- Follow-up: The doctor will monitor the patient’s response to treatment and check for any recurrence or spread of the cancer. The follow-up may involve regular visits to the doctor, repeat tests, scans, biopsies, etc.
What are the survival rates for cancer in men?
The survival rate for cancer is a measure of how likely a person with a certain type and stage of cancer is to survive for a specific period of time after diagnosis, compared to a person without cancer. The survival rate is usually expressed as a percentage or a ratio. For example, a 5-year survival rate of 80% means that 80 out of 100 people with that type and stage of cancer are expected to be alive 5 years after diagnosis.
The survival rate for cancer varies depending on many factors, such as the type and stage of the cancer, the age and overall health of the patient, the availability and effectiveness of treatment, etc. Therefore, it is important to remember that survival rates are only estimates based on statistics and do not reflect the individual situation of each patient.
According to Statistics Canada, based on data from 2015 to 2017, the 5-year net survival rate for all cancers combined in men was 61%. This means that men diagnosed with any type of cancer had a 61% chance of surviving at least 5 years after diagnosis. However, this survival rate varied widely depending on the type of cancer. For example:
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