Cancer has long been the leading cause of death among Thai men. According to data from the National Cancer Institute, the Ministry of Public Health, the incidence of cancer in Thailand has been increasing, with an average of 120,000 new cancer patients per year. This is due to various behaviors that harm your health, both knowingly (but still doing) and unknowingly, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, having a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, stress, and staying up late, all of which are major causes of various cancers. The top 5 most common cancers found in men are something that all men should be aware of and take precautions to prevent.

 

1) Lung Cancer

Lung cancer has become increasingly prevalent and the rate of occurrence is alarmingly high. It is the leading cause of death among men worldwide, primarily caused by smoking. Currently, 1 in 10 smokers will develop cancer, and 1 in 6 people who smoke regularly will find that most are lung cancers. Smoking cigarettes, which contain the carcinogen “tar,” particularly when smoked over a long period, is responsible for 85% of lung cancer cases. Symptoms may include coughing, sometimes with blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, easily fatigued, difficulty breathing, pain in the chest, significant weight loss, chronic fever, which could be due to lung cancer.

When the disease spreads, in addition to lung symptoms, the symptoms depend on the organs affected by the spread, which may be nearby organs or other parts of the body to which the disease has spread. Early detection of lung cancer can potentially be cured. Lung cancer is a rapidly growing tumor of the lung that can spread to adjacent organs and other parts of the body, arising from cells in the lung tissue dividing uncontrollably. In addition to cigarettes, external factors such as environmental pollution and internal factors such as genetic defects or cellular deterioration that fail to repair abnormal cells can also cause lung cancer.

 

2) Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is another common cancer found in men, ranking second in terms of mortality rate after lung cancer. It is commonly found in men over the age of 50. As of 2014, 29,480 men died from prostate cancer. The lower mortality rate may be due to the slower spread of prostate cancer cells, along with prostate cancer screening that allows for early diagnosis, improving treatment outcomes. Patients often consult doctors with symptoms of urinary obstruction, unable to urinate, or blood in the urine.

In the early stages, most do not show symptoms, or they may have symptoms similar to benign prostatic hyperplasia, including blood in the urine or semen. Early stage cancer can be detected through physical examination by a doctor using a gloved finger to check the prostate through the rectum. Regular health check-ups and blood tests to measure PSA enzyme levels are recommended. Nowadays, prostate cancer can be diagnosed faster through digital rectal examination and PSA blood tests, recommended for men aged about 45 – 50, especially those with a family history of prostate cancer from a young age.

 

3) Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is classified as a common cancer in men, with an increased risk for men over the age of 50. High-risk groups are individuals with a close family history of colorectal cancer, such as parents, siblings, or children, having about a 2/3 chance of developing this type of cancer compared to the general population. However, it’s found that about 80% of new colorectal cancer patients did not belong to the high-risk group.

The last part of the intestine, about 5 – 6 feet long, comprises the large intestine and the rectum. The function of the large intestine is to change liquid waste into stool. Food travels to the large intestine within 3 – 8 hours after eating, where nutrients are absorbed into the body, and the unabsorbed part becomes liquid waste.

Lifestyle factors may increase the risk of colorectal cancer, such as consuming fats and red meats, but less vegetables and fruits, high-calorie diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. Smoking and heavy drinking may affect the risk of colorectal cancer. Early-stage patients may not show symptoms of rectal bleeding, bloody stools, or a change in stool shape (becoming thinner), abdominal cramps. The majority of rectal cancers show different symptoms from colon cancers, including bloody stools, alternating constipation and diarrhea without cause, a change in stool diameter, and the feeling of incomplete bowel movements. If the tumor grows large, it may press on adjacent organs causing urinary retention or pain due to compression on the backside or surgical stitches. If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately.

 

4) Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is another prominent disease for men. It was once believed that excessive alcohol consumption led to liver cirrhosis, and then liver cancer, or some even misunderstood them as the same disease. Although alcohol consumption among Thais may have decreased, leading to fewer cases of liver cirrhosis from drinking, it has been found that a patient with the initial stage of liver cirrhosis and a detectable tumor potentially being liver cancer had a history of consuming pickled and fermented foods almost daily. Even without alcohol consumption, if foods containing alcohol or alcohol is consumed continuously over a long period, it may overwork the liver daily, leading to cirrhosis and cancer. The most common cause, however, is chronic hepatitis virus infections like type B and type C (B is more common), usually contracted from the mother at birth or possibly from a spouse.

In the past, before blood donations were rigorously checked for infections as today, hepatitis viruses could be transmitted through blood transfusions. Nowadays, screening can detect nearly 100% of such cases. Thus, it’s observable that hepatitis viruses B and C can be transmitted similarly to HIV, but more easily. The infection rate leading to disease is higher. Once the virus enters the blood, it accumulates in the liver, causing hepatitis. Whether symptoms appear depends on individual immunity; some people hardly show symptoms, recover on their own, and develop immunity. However, some become chronic carriers, potentially infecting others. Chronic inflammation over 10 – 20 years can lead to liver fibrosis, shrinking liver tissues, potentially developing into cirrhosis, from which a few cells may turn into liver cancer. Even without cirrhosis, hepatitis can still lead to liver cancer.

People with a lot of liver fat (Fatty Liver), especially some diabetic patients, are now considered at risk for cirrhosis. It’s advisable to consult a doctor about liver ultrasound exams or blood tests for liver cancer where appropriate. When the tumor grows, it may cause symptoms like pain and tightness in the upper right abdomen, or if it’s in the left liver lobe, it may cause pain in the spleen area, leading to loss of appetite and unintended weight loss. Some may experience digestive issues, bloating, indigestion due to bile chemistry in the liver being compromised. If the lump grows significantly, one might feel fullness, tightness, or even develop jaundice, or ascites, if the tumor spreads extensively, but these symptoms might sometimes result from cirrhosis alone, without cancer. If you suspect liver cancer symptoms, do not panic, as most will not show true symptoms of liver cancer. It’s crucial to consult a doctor for further diagnosis.

 

5) Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer (Head and Neck Cancer) is another disease men should not overlook, as it is a public health concern worldwide. Every year, approximately 540,000 new cases occur globally, with more than 271,000 deaths annually. The majority of these cancers are caused by the mucous membrane inside the organs of the head and neck area, including the mouth (comprising lips, cheeks, the tissue under the tongue, around the tongue, gums, tongue, and hard palate), oropharynx (consisting of the base of the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, and uvula), nasopharynx, larynx, thyroid gland, tissues around the larynx, nasal cavity, sinuses, and salivary glands.

The exact cause of head and neck cancer is unknown, but important risk factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of vitamins and minerals, chewing betel nut, using snuff, chronic mouth ulcers from different diseases, and certain viral infections like EB virus, HPV viruses, and HIV virus. In Thailand, alcohol drinking and smoking are primary risk factors for head and neck cancer. Chewing betel nut combined with tobacco has been a common behavior in the past and significantly contributes to mouth cancer, especially in the cheek area. Some patients may have genetic abnormalities that predispose them to cancer from drinking and smoking. Other contributing causes include immune disorders, inappropriate dentures causing friction against the mucosa, leading to ulcers that can become cancerous over time. An increasing cause in foreign countries is Human Papillomavirus, or HPV (the same virus that causes cervical cancer), from having multiple sexual partners and engaging in oral sex, potentially leading to cancer in the mouth, oropharynx, and tonsils.

 

Nonetheless, taking care of oneself to reduce the risk of developing cancer is easy to start with; quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, consuming a nutritious diet in appropriate quantities, maintaining a standard weight, drinking at least 6 – 8 glasses of clean water daily, regularly checking health, and not neglecting self-observation of symptoms. If any abnormalities are found, consult a doctor. Yearly health checks can ensure timely treatment and a high chance of complete recovery if detected early.