Cancer: How you can reduce your risk (Part II)
We dedicated this month and last month to some of the most common cancers in South Africa, making you aware of the preventive care benefits the Scheme offers.
The risk for many types of cancers can be reduced by living a healthy lifestyle and going for the relevant screening tests.
Prostate cancer
One in 24 men will develop prostate cancer in South Africa. South African males have one of the highest prevalence of prostate cancer in the world. This particular cancer often develops very slowly, without symptoms. It is therefore imperative to check your prostate function regularly.
Risk factors:
Several risk factors increase a man’s chance of developing prostate cancer. These factors are usually taken into consideration when a doctor recommends screening. The risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Men over the age of 50 years
- Family history of prostate cancer
- Diet high in fat and low in fruit and vegetables
Screening for prostate cancer
The question of screening is a personal and complex one. It’s important for each man to talk with his doctor about whether prostate cancer screening is right for him. There is no unanimous opinion in the medical community regarding the benefits of prostate cancer screening. Ultimately, decisions about screening should be individualised based on a man’s level of risk, overall health, life expectancy, as well as his desire for eventual treatment if he is diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Let’s start with the Prostate Antigen Specific (PSA) test. If a PSA test result is high, further examinations can be done, such as a digital rectal examination (DRE), and then a biopsy, before a diagnosis can be made.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum, the lower part of the large intestine and digestive system. Most colorectal cancers begin as a polyp, a small growth of tissue that starts in the lining and grows into the centre of the colon or rectum. However, many people have polyps and the vast majority of polyps do not develop in to cancer. Doctors can detect and remove polyps during the colonoscopy procedure to be on the safe side.
Lifestyle factors that contribute to increase the risk of colorectal cancer are nothing but the usual suspects. The good news is that you can change them today:
- Lack of regular exercise
- Low fruit/vegetable intake
- Being overweight
- Low-fibre and high-fat diet
- High alcohol consumption
- Tobacco use
Other risk factors include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Personal or family history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
You can keep an eye on these risk factors by going for regular colon screening tests, such as a colonoscopy, from age 50 every 10 years, unless otherwise recommended by your doctor.
AMS cancer prevention and screening benefits
Prostrate cancer |
|
Prostrate check-up (blood test) | *SCP: Out-of-hospital Pathology Benefit **MCP: Pathology Benefit |
Prostrate check-up (examination) | SCP: Out-of-hospital Family Benefit for consultations MCP: Medical Savings Account |
Colorectal cancer |
|
Colonscopy |
SCP and MCP: Hospital Benefit |
Faecal occult blood test | SCP: Out-of-hospital Pathology Benefit (non-PMB) MC: Pathology Benefit |
*SCP: Standard Care Plan **MCP: Managed Care Plan
For full details of the benefits and funding of these and all other cancer screenings, please refer to your Benefit Guide.
Value Care Plan members: Please discuss your cancer screening with your GP.