Osteoporosis Prevention

The Endocrine Society recommends screening in men starting at age 70. Younger men (aged 50-69 years old) should be screened if there are other factors present, such as certain medications or other chronic diseases. Screening is done by checking bone density. In men at higher risk for osteoporosis, a test called a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, may be used to measure the spine and hip.

Though osteoporosis cannot be cured, it can be slowed down, and steps can be taken to prevent it. The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests these preventive measures:

• Eat a balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D.
• Ask your doctor if you should take a calcium supplement. A study reported that taking 1,200 mg (milligram) a day of calcium helped to increase bone mineral density in men.
• Exercise regularly, emphasizing weight-bearing activities. Be sure to use proper form when lifting weights. If you have osteoporosis, you may need to change certain movements to protect your spine. You may also need to avoid activities that involve a lot of twisting motions, like golf or tennis.
• If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how you can successfully quit.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation (2 drinks or less per day).

Talk to you doctor about factors that can increase your risk. Some include long-term use of certain medications, such as steroids or aluminum-based antacids. Also, increasing age, undiagnosed low levels of testosterone, and chronic lung or kidney disease can raise your risk.

Osteoporosis Treatment

Alendronate and other bisphosphonates that prevent or slow the weakening of bones are also a treatment for osteoporosis in men. Calcitonin is a drug that has been shown to slow bone breakdown and reduce pain associated with fractures attributed to osteoporosis. If doctors see a benefit, some will prescribe this drug for men. Additional options include: parathyroid hormone and a nasal spray version of calcitonin.

Men who have low testosterone levels may respond to testosterone supplementation.

Breast Cancer Screening

Though medical professionals typically do not recommend detection exams for the general male population, doctors may advise men at high risk to perform periodic breast self-examinations and to have mammograms.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), risk factors for male breast cancer include:

• Age—Average is 68 years at diagnosis.
• Family history of breast cancer
• Prior radiation exposure to the chest—This is usually from treatment of another cancer.
• Liver disease—This can lead to higher estrogen levels and gynecomastia.
• Gynecomastia—Enlargement of the male breast not related to obesity.
• Hyperestrogenism (estrogen treatment) which may be done for prostate cancer, or abnormal secretion of the hormone estrogen.
• Klinefelter's syndrome—This is a male disorder characterized by reduced or absent sperm production, small testicles, and enlarged breasts
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Obesity

Breast Cancer Treatment

The approach to treatment is geared to the stage, or extent, of the disease at diagnosis. Since there are so few cases of breast cancer in men, the data on effectiveness of treatment comes from clinical trials in women. If the cancer is found in an early stage before it spreads to surrounding tissue or to the lymph nodes, surgical removal of the breast and lymph nodes may completely remove the cancer. However, often some additional therapy (adjuvant) is recommended to kill any undetected cancer cells that may have been left behind after surgery. Depending on the type of cells in the tumor, and a person’s general health, hormone, radiation, or chemotherapy may be used. Later stages of breast cancer may be treated with a combination of therapies. If the breast cancer has spread to other organs, a regimen of hormonal or chemotherapy is tailored to each man. Once hormonal or chemotherapy is no longer effective, there are still options for immunotherapy as well as other treatments to relieve symptoms.

Possible complications after surgery or radiation therapy include decreased shoulder function, fluid retention in the arm, and pain or stiffness in the operated or radiated area. The ACS emphasizes that, besides tending to the physical consequences of breast cancer therapy, attention should be paid to the psychological after-effects.

Men who have or had breast cancer also need follow-up monitoring, which may include regular exams, blood tests, imaging (such as an MRI scan), and bone scans, to discover any recurring tumors quickly.

Delayed Diagnosis

Diagnosis is complicated by a reluctance some men have to seek medical help for disorders that are still primarily related to women. Many men may be ashamed to have an illness of this type and thus, suffer in silence. Another problem is that a great number of doctors and healthcare professionals are not trained to identify or treat male eating disorders, especially anorexia. Families, too, often fail to see the man's symptoms. The illnesses then can progress to a more advanced stage where they are harder to treat.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

Treatment for eating disorder has several components. The first and most important aspect is to stabilize any medical condition brought on by the disorder. Sometimes this may require hospitalization. Proper diet, nutrition, and weight gain are addressed, but that alone may not fix the original problem. Counseling, in a group or alone, is often a part of the healing process. During this time, medications for treatment of depression may also be prescribed. Antidepressants and even tricyclic drugs have been used to effectively treat eating disorders. Only your doctor can guide your treatment.