Male and Female Cancers

Male Specific Cancers

Female Specific Cancers

Testicular Cancer

Most common form of cancer in men aged between 15-45 years.

In Northern Ireland in 2002, there were 56 cases of testicular cancer diagnosed with

4 deaths that year.
Survival rate with early treatment is excellent, with almost 95% surviving for five years.

Testicular cancer is a growth or a tumour which appears in one of the testicles.
No specific cause has been found.
Men with descended or partly descended testicles are more likely to develop cancer.
Familial tendency may increase the risk of disease.
More common in Caucasian men, particularly those from higher income backgrounds.

Early Detection

Routine examination of the testicles on a monthly basis, carried out after bathing, as the scrotal sac is then more relaxed.

Warning signs

A hard lump on the front or side of a testicle.
Swelling or enlargement of a testicle.
An increase in firmness of a testicle.
Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum.
An unusual difference between one testicle and the other.
A heavy feeling in the scrotum.
A dull ache in the lower stomach, groin or scrotum.
If diagnosed at an early stage testicular cancer is nearly always curable. More than 50% of males consult their G.P. at later stages, this makes the cancer harder to treat and it may have already spread.

How to carry out a testicular examination

1. Support the testicles and scrotum in the palm of the hand.
2. Gently examine each testicle in turn.
3. Using both hands, roll each testicle between the hands and fingers.
4. One should feel a soft tube at the top and back of the testicle. The epididymis is a sausage-like structure that stores and transports sperm. This is normal and should be smooth with no lumps or swellings.
5. Check for:
   - Lumps or hardness;
   - Swelling or tenderness;
   - A sensation of dragging or heaviness in the scrotum and
   - A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin.

Most lumps are benign. The affected testicle may be removed.
Rapid diagnosis could save ones life.
Testicular Cancer can be cured if detected at an early stage.

So act now do not wait a week or two.

Further information

For more about cancer visit the patient information website www.cancerhelp.org.uk click on ‘specific cancers’ then ‘testicular cancer’.

If you want to talk in confidence about cancer, call cancer help information nurses.

Direct line 02070618355or freephone 0800(CANCER) 226237 or email cancer.info@cancer.org.uk.

Prostate Cancer

In 2002 in Northern Ireland there were around 630 cases of prostatic cancer diagnosed with 188 deaths that year.¹
Survival good with treatment, 60% survive for five years.
Incidence higher in affluent and younger males.

Known Risk Factors

Gradual enlargement of the prostate occurs in all men as they get older and this may cause symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is not cancer and can be easily treated, usually by an operation to remove part of the prostate gland.

Cancer of the prostate takes years to develop and may not cause any symptoms. The initial symptoms if present are usually related to passing urine. Advanced prostate cancer can spread to the bones and cause pain in areas such as the back.

Who is at risk?

Older men - prostate cancer is unusual in men under 50 and the rates increase sharply with age. More than half the cases occur in men over 75.

Men whose diets are low in fat and high in green vegetables are less likely to have prostate cancer.
Males with a family history of Prostate cancer.
Certain ethnic groups.
Exposure to Radiation, such as X-rays or cadium

The Prostate is a gland found in the base of the bladder wrapped around the urethra which carries urine out of the penis. It is about the size of a golf ball to produce fluid which carries sperms.
For many men there are no symptoms to alert them to prostate cancer, therefore, it is important for men to be aware of issues around prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer responds well to treatment and may be cured if treated early.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

The prostate tends to grow larger with age and because of its position can cause difficulty with urination.

An enlarged prostate, known as benign (non-cancerous). Prostate cancer can usually be dealt with using medication or surgery.

There is no reliable screening test for prostate cancer. The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test is a blood test. If the level of PSA is raised this may mean that prostate cancer is present. However many men with a raised PSA test will not have prostate cancer. The PSA test can also miss prostate cancer. For further details ask your G.P.

Known Risk Factors

Checklist - Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you sometimes pass urine when you don’t expect to?
Do you urinate three or more times during the night?
Are you bursting to go and then find you barely produce a trickle?
Do you strain to pass urine, or does it take a long time to start?
When you pass urine, are you always stopping and starting?
Do you have any discomfort such as pain or a burning sensation when you pass urine?
Does your bladder feel full after you have finished?
Is there any dribbling after you have stopped?
Have you ever seen blood in your urine?

If you answer yes to any of these questions and are concerned go to your G.P.

For further information and advice telephone 028 90803344 or

E-mail: infor@actioncancer.org

The Prostate Cancer Charity: www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

Confidential help line 0845 300 8383

Breast Cancer

943 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in Northern Ireland in 2002 with 272 deaths that year.¹
Rates of new cases are rising by 12 females per year.
Survival is excellent and has improved to 82% at five years.
Incidence and mortality is higher in the more affluent females.
Rarely occurs in women under 30 years of age.²

Early Detection

Action Cancer runs clinics for breast cancer detection.

They offer guidance on breast self-examination.

Screening Centres

Eastern Health and Social Services.
The Screening Centre,
12-22 Linenhall Street,
Belfast BT2 8BS

Tel 0289033 3700

Northern Health and Social Services,
Northern Area Breast Screening and Assessment Unit,
Level A,
Antrim Area Hospital,
45 Bush Road,
Antrim BT41 2RL.

Tel 02894424425

Southern Health and Social Services Board,
The Breast Screening Unit,
Lurgan Hospital,
Sloan Street,
Lurgan BT66 8NX

Tel 028 3834 7083.

Western Health and Social Services Board,
The Breast Screening Unit,
Ground Floor,
The Nurses’Home,
Altnagelvin Area Hospital,
Glenshane Road,
Londonderry BT47 6SD

Tel 028 7161 1443

Mammography screening may be offered to women aged 45 years and over, with significant family history.
Cervical smear tests - 3 to 5 yearly for women aged 20 and over.
Genetic Testing - referrals can be through your G.P.
Men can develop breast cancer around 8 men in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with the disease annually.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer is rare, having a smear test every 3-5 years is important to reduce the chances of developing cervical cancer.

80 cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2002 with 24 deaths that year.¹

Five year survival rate is around 72%.

Incidence and mortality higher in:

the more deprived female
Women between 20-64 years of age, who are sexually active.³

Early Detection

Have a smear test every 3-5 years.
Use protective methods during sex.
Giving up smoking can lower your risk of getting cancer.

Tests may be carried out at your G.P. or Well-Woman Clinic, the Family Planning Clinic and Action Cancer.

If you have had a hysterectomy, you do not need to have a smear test unless the cervix is left in place, consult your GP if in doubt.

Cervical screening has saved over 1000 lives in the UK.

How to avoid cancer?

Smoking

Cigarette smoking causes a third of all cancer deaths.
At least 90% of lung cancers are due to smoking and also causes cancers of the mouth and bladder cancers.
The longer a person smokes the more dangerous it becomes, so starting to smoke when young seriously increases the risk to health.
There is also a risk from passive smoking.

Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol has been linked to 3% of cancers, more so in heavy drinkers.

Sensible drinking habits should be adhered to.

Weight

Some cancers are associated with being overweight or obese.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet, which includes a good proportion of vegetables and fruit, will help to reduce weight.

Take care in the sun

Too much sun can cause skin cancers.
Protect and tan slowly, avoid sunburn and use filter creams and lotions, especially if fair.

Cut down on fatty foods

People that eat a lot of meat, butter and other dairy products, are at increased risk of bowel cancer and breast cancer as well as heart disease.

Regular Health Checks

Visit your G.P. regularly.
Have 3 yearly cervical smear tests.
Be familiar with your body by carrying out monthly self-examinations.

Useful Contacts:

Action Cancer
1 Marlborough Park,
Belfast BT9 6XS

Tel: 02890803344.

The Ulster Cancer Foundation
Patient Resource Centre,
Belvoir Park Hospital,
Belfast

Tel: 028 90492007.

Useful websites:

References

Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Belfast.
Cancer Research Campaign (CRC). Factsheet 6.3 1996. Breast Cancer-UK.
Cancer Research UK.Cancer Stats for Cervical Cancer-UK January 2003.
Gavin A, McCarron P, Middleton R J, Savage G, Catney D, O’Reilly D, Keane P K, Murray L J. Evidence of Prostate cancer screening in a UK region. British Journal Urology International 2004:93:730-734.