In Rhode Island, if you are a man, you have a 13% greater chance of dying of cancer than in the rest of the country. The numbers are appalling as you go through the list. Colorectal cancer has a 34% higher death rate in Rhode Island than the national average; melanoma, 71% higher; bladder cancer, 27% higher; lung cancer, which is almost 90% fatal anyhow, in Rhode Island we tend to do even worse than that with a 6% higher than the national average death rate. These numbers are tragic. Even worse is the fact that African-American males have a 39% higher death rate from cancer than their white neighbors in Rhode Island.

Unfortunately, men in Rhode Island, like men all over the USA, are reluctant to go to a doctor at any time, let alone for an annual checkup. In reality, most of the cancers that are so deadly in Rhode Island can either be prevented or detected early with a much better chance of being cured. The use of tobacco, smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or chewing tobacco, remains the leading preventable cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The highest cause of death from cancer in Rhode Island is from lung cancer.

Tobacco also contributes to the development of bladder cancer. Many of our older population worked in industries where chemicals and dyes were used and as a consequence were exposed to cancer-producing agents. Our death rate from bladder cancer is 27% above the national average.

Skin cancer, particularly melanoma, can be prevented by avoiding ultraviolet light exposure. Rhode Islanders are addicted to the sun: sailing, going to the beach, playing golf, gardening, all will add to exposure to the sun unless we wear a hat, use suncreens, and cover up with long sleeve shirts and long trousers. The death rate from melanoma in men in Rhode Island is 71% above the national average. This is a preventable disease.

Every man over the age of 50 should have regular tests for colorectal cancer. By finding polyps in the colon, the probability of developing a cancer is greatly reduced. Removing the polyps actually prevents cancer of the colon. In addition, a healthy diet with less fatty foods, more vegetables and fresh fruit, and more whole grain cereals, can diminish the number of polyps formed, diminishing the chances of colon cancer. An aspirin a day reduces the chances of a polyp forming or progressing into cancer. For those men who cannot take aspirin, a new medication, Celebrex, has been found to decrease polyp formation. Colon cancer in men in Rhode Island carries a 34% higher death rate than the rest of the country.

Every man over the age of 50 should have his prostate examined annually and have a blood test for prostate cancer (PSA). Prostate cancers detected early, before they have spred outside of the gland, carry a very high cure rate with many options for treatment. These include watchful waiting, hormone treatment alone, surgery, or radiotherapy (including radioactive seeds). Sometimes some of these options are combined for the best results. In this disease cure rate for localized cancer can run as high as 95%; advanced prostate cancer is almost uniformly fatal.

With a healthy diet, more exercise, moderate alcohol, and avoiding tobacco, most of the cancers in men can be completely avoided. By going for an annual checkup which includes examining skin and tests for colorectal cancer and prostate cancer, most of the cancers in men can be detected early and can be removed before they can become a risk of death. In Rhode Island being cancer smart can go a long way to correcting our high cancer death rates in men.

For more information and answers to specific questions contact the Rhode Island Cancer Council at Tel@ricancercouncil.org or call us at (401) 728-4800 or toll free 866-879-4100.

IT IS EASIER TO PREVENT CANCER THAN TO TREAT IT.

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