5 cancers you’re more prone to as you age
No matter what age you are, cancer is a devastating diagnosis. However, as we get older, our risk of certain cancers increases, and it’s important to be aware of what they are and what steps – if any – you can take to prevent them.
1. Skin cancer
Obviously, the longer you’ve been around, the more exposure you’ve had to the sun and thus the more likely you are to develop skin cancer. Thankfully, many skin cancers are treatable and all are preventable – slip, slop, slap is as important a message at 60 as it is at 20. However, melanoma can be deadly, so it’s essential to have your dermatologist check your whole body on a regular basis to look out for any suspicious spots or changes.
2. Breast cancer
The leading type of cancer in older women, breast cancer actually tends to be less aggressive the older you are, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on the look-out for any lumps, bumps or abnormalities. Ensure you do frequent self-checks at home and get regular mammograms. Never dismiss something you think is “nothing”. Also, talk to your doctor about your vitamin D levels, as researchers have found that it may prevent breast, prostate and bowel cancers.
3. Prostate cancer
Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the leading type of cancer in men, and since the prostate gets bigger as men age, their risk grows too – in fact, 98 per cent of cases occur in men over 50. Fortunately, the rate of survival is at 95 per cent if caught early. Every man over 50 (or 40, if there’s a family history of prostate cancer) should discuss with their GP making prostate testing a part of their annual health check-up.
4. Lung cancer
As the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer, lung cancer rates are highest in those over the age of 60. Survival is low, at just 16 per cent, so it’s essential to identify lung cancer as early as possible. While it occurs most frequently in smokers, or those who have been exposed to second-hand smoke and other pollutants over a long period of time, anyone can develop lung cancer. If you have a history of smoking, speak to your doctor about organising regular screenings.
5. Bowel cancer
Startlingly, the rate of death from bowel cancer triples between the ages of 50 and 85, making it the second deadliest type after lung cancer. If caught early, however, the survival rate is up to 69 per cent. Risk factors include family history, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease and diabetes.
If you’re worried about your health or unsettled by these statistics, visit your GP and raise any concerns. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.