US Pharm. 2006;8:8-10.
In 1990, there were more than
120 million men of all ages, races, and ethnicities living in the
During the 20th century, the
leading causes of death in the
Men have approximately one and
one-half times the death rate from cardiovascular diseases as women.
Furthermore, men have approximately one and one-half times the death rate from
total cancers as women and two times the death rate from lung cancer as women.
Men have approximately one and one-half times the death rate from colorectal
cancer as women. More than two thirds of men are overweight or obese. At least
58 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, including high
blood pressure, and 8.2 million Americans have a history of cancer.
Heart Disease
In 2002, 340,933
men died from heart disease, the leading cause of death for men in the
Cancer
Prostate cancer is
the most common form of cancer, other than skin cancer, among men, and is
second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer-related death among men. The
American Cancer Society estimated that in 2003, about 220,990 new cases of
prostate cancer would be diagnosed and 28,900 men would die of the disease.
About 70% of all diagnosed prostate cancers are found in men age 65 years or
older. Over the past 20 years, the survival rate for prostate cancer has
increased from 67% to 97%. The prostate cancer death rate is higher for
African-American men than for any other racial or ethnic group. Compared to
other racial and ethnic groups, the Asian/Pacific Islander group has
relatively low rates of prostate cancer incidence and mortality. Among all
racial and ethnic groups, prostate cancer death rates were lower in 1999 than
they were in 1990. The decrease in prostate cancer death rates from 1990 to
1999 was almost twice as great in whites and Asian/Pacific Islanders than in
African-Americans, Native American/Alaska Natives, and Hispanic Americans. Use
of herbal supplements, diets high in fat or low in fruits and vegetables,
consumption of vitamin E or selenium, certain infectious diseases, and men's
hormonal characteristics are factors being studied to determine the causes of
prostate cancer. More than ever before, medicines offer hope to those with
cancer. Today, there are 399 medicines in development to treat cancer,
including 50 for prostate cancer, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America.
Diabetes
Diabetes is
associated with an increased risk for a number of serious--sometimes
life-threatening--complications, and certain populations experience an even
greater threat. Although good diabetes management can help reduce the risk of
complications, many people are not even aware that they have diabetes until
they develop a complication. About 10.9 million men (or 10.5% of all men age
20 years or older have diabetes, although nearly one third do not know it. Men
with diabetes are two times as likely to experience erectile dysfunction as
are men without diabetes. Deaths from heart disease in men with diabetes have
decreased by only 13%, compared to a 36% decrease in men without diabetes.
More than 60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with
diabetes. In 2002, about 82,000 nontraumatic lower-limb amputations were
performed in people with diabetes. Amputation rates are 1.4 to 1.7 times
higher for men than for women with diabetes.
Risk factors for diabetes
include poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and obesity. Findings from
the CDC's Diabetes Prevention Program showed that a healthful diet, which
includes fruits and vegetables, and exercise can reduce the risk of diabetes
in high-risk populations.
Diabetes mellitus is one of
the most serious health challenges facing the African-American community, with
2.8 million African-Americans suffering from it. For every six white persons
with diabetes, 10 African-Americans have the disease. African-Americans have a
27% higher mortality rate from diabetes than do white persons.
Preventive maintenance is an
important factor in ensuring good health. Taking care of oneself often
includes lifestyle and behavior changes that may be difficult at first. For
instance, being overweight or obese can raise the risk of many cancers;
getting enough exercise can significantly lower these risks. It is also
important that patients follow through with their treatments. Until recently,
killing cancer cells without harming healthy cells in the body was
extraordinarily difficult, but that is changing. Right now,
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