Men’s Cancers

Abstract

The five key areas targeted by the Health of the Nation (Department of Health [DOH], 1992) document, aimed at significant improvement by the year 2000, were: strokes, coronary heart disease, mental illness, sexual health, accidents and cancers. Cervical and breast cancers in women were specifically identified, and have been explored in the previous chapter. However, two common male cancers, testicular and prostatic malignancies received no such interest in the document, despite the fact that testicular cancer is the most common malignant tumour in young men in the United Kingdom (UK), occurring mostly in those aged 15 to 55 years (Imperial Cancer Research Fund [ICRF] –— now known as Cancer Research UK – 1999) and prostatic cancer being the second most common in males generally, resulting in around 10 000 deaths annually (Perry, 2000). This chapter examines several issues surrounding these two male cancers, including the reluctance of men to seek help and advice regarding unusual physiological changes. It does not cover palliative care since the two cancers are remarkably susceptible to treatment if discovered early in their course. The intention is for nurses to assist in raising awareness of men to their own anatomy and physiology and to support them in their quest for guidance when deviations from the norm are detected.