Men’s Health Peer Education
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)
Cancer and its prevention
Resources
The following resources can be found in this section:

Cancer and its prevention (PPTs)

Scenario: Cancer and its prevention

Quiz: Cancer and its prevention

Handout
The DVA Trainer will determine which activities are suitable for the training . Please note
not all activities may be used during the training.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)
Cancer and its prevention (PPTs)
The Cancer and its prevention PowerPoint (PPT) is located on the Department of
Veterans’ Affairs, Men’s Health Peer Education Volunteer Resource website page.
The PPT file is: TAB21 – Cancer and its prevention.ppt
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)
Scenario
SCENARIO: Cancer and its prevention (training use only)
Part 1
You have organised a cancer prevention and information session at the local RSL. You
have organised lots of Cancer Council brochures and posters, have a DVD running, and
have a group chatting to you about skin cancer monitoring. While talking with the
group, Rick asks ‘what if it comes back?’
You have known Rick since basic training, and served together, but lost touch over the
years. He moved to your area three years ago after his marriage split, and you ran into
one another at the RSL. You have a beer with him every few months when you both
happen to be at the club. He lives by himself.
Questions to raise / Talking points
1.
How will you respond to Rick, given there are four others with him?
(see possible responses on next page)
Part 2
You and Rick sit down over a beer a little later. Rick tells you he was diagnosed with
melanoma four years ago after his GP found a spot on his back. It was successfully
removed, but another was found a year later, about the time he moved. In both cases
doctors were confident there was no spread.
Rick tells you he found a lump ‘the size of an egg’ under his arm last night. He doesn’t
want to see his doctor because he ‘knows it will be the big C back’. Rick says he spent
all last night and today on the internet, and is keen to ‘get stuck into the vitamins and
herbs’. He ‘knows that as soon as they cut this time it’ll spread and I’m stuffed’.
Questions to raise / Talking points
2.
What do you say?
3.
What might you do or say in the days following?
(see possible responses on next page)
Part 3
You next see Rick three months later, at the RSL. He is wearing a cap, and looks as
though he has had a crew cut. You say hello, and he tells you that the melanoma was
back; he has had surgery and has just started chemotherapy. You buy him a soft drink,
and sit down for a chat. He tells you there was a spread of the melanoma in his lymph
nodes, and the doctors have said things are ‘50:50’. You understand that as 50 per cent
chance he could die.
Questions to raise / Talking points
4.
What do you say/do?
(see possible responses on next page)
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)
Men’s Health Peer Education
SCENARIO: Cancer and its prevention (training use only)
Part 1
1.
How will you respond to Rick, given there are four others with him?

‘Most important thing is seeing your doctor’

Quietly, as the group moves away, or approach him a few minutes later,
and ask ‘do you want to have a chat/beer, mate?

Don’t ignore it.
Part 2
2.
What do you say?

Lack of sleep often makes things seem worse than they are.

There could be other reasons for a lump.
It is his choice to manage his health as he wishes, but see his GP first to check what
it could be, and so he has a clearer picture of all his possible options. Then he can
make an informed choice.
3.
What might you do or say in the days following?
Ring Rick to check he went to his GP. If not, reinforce the importance of doing so.
If yes, ask him if he would like to get together, when/wherever it suits.
Part 3
4.
What do you say/do?

Do you want to talk about it?

How do you feel?

Does 50:50 seem like good news or bad news?

Are there other people/family that you have been able to talk to?

Is there anything I can do?

Is this something you are telling others at the club (they are going to
notice the hair loss etc)?

Is the surgery or treatment stopping you doing things?

What about some practical help round the
house/cooking/cleaning/transport to come to the club etc?

Do you feel that you have good communication with your
doctors/cancer support nurse?

If you want to talk about things anytime, I am available (if you are).

Give him a call regularly, and re-check how he is going.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)
Quiz
QUIZ: Cancer and its prevention
Select the best answer.
1. Cancer is best described as:
a.
Cell mutations that cause abnormal multiplication
b.
A disease that can spread through the bloodstream or by invasion of
surrounding tissue
c.
Most likely to occur in old age
d.
All of the above
2. Which of the following is not a symptom of benign prostate enlargement?
a.
Weaker urine stream
b.
Erection problems
c.
Frequency (a short time between needing to urinate)
d.
Dribbling after finishing urination
3. Prostate cancer accounts for approximately what percentage of all male cancers in
Australia?
a.
10%
b.
30%
c.
50%
d.
Most prostate cancers are actually benign prostate enlargement and do
not need risky treatment
4. Which statement about prostate cancer is most correct?
a.
A high PSA test nearly always indicates early prostate cancer
b.
It occurs most commonly in men in their 50s
c.
Heavy alcohol use is the biggest risk factor
d.
Most men with the disease will die with it, rather than from it
5. The best combination for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer is:
a.
Exercising regularly, not smoking, eating oily fish
b.
Plenty of fruit and vegetables, eating oily fish, B vitamin supplements
c.
Plenty of fruit and vegetables, not smoking, maintaining healthy body
weight
d.
Not drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, B vitamin supplements
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
ILLNESS PREVENTION
(Tab 21) Cancer and its prevention: resources, activities and handouts
Men’s Health Peer Education
6. Lung cancer is:
a.
The most common cause of cancer death in Australia
b.
The most common cancer in Australian men
c.
Mostly successfully treated
d.
None of the above
7. The most lethal skin cancer is:
a.
Basal cell carcinoma
b.
Squamous cell carcinoma
c.
Solar keratosis
d.
Melanoma
8. Testicular cancer:
a.
Is most common in men between 40 and 60, but rare in old age
b.
Has been found in many studies to be nearly always detected early by
weekly testicular self-examination
c.
Is only definitely diagnosed with surgical removal of the affected testicle
d.
Can be prevented largely by avoiding sporting injuries to the testicles and
overly tight clothing around the groin
9. What is the best approach to talking with someone about their cancer diagnosis?
a.
Tell them you are open to discussion whenever and however they want
b.
Don’t mention it if they don’t, as many people prefer not to discuss it
c.
If they haven’t said anything after a month they are probably in denial, and
you could recommend talking to a counsellor
d.
Encourage them to just get on with life, which is the best way of dealing
with cancer
10. The best way to reduce cancer risk is to:
a.
Quit smoking, be SunSmart, be physically active
b.
Get checked by your doctor, practice meditation, be vegetarian
c.
Take vitamin B and C and omega-3 supplements, don’t drink alcohol, eat a
healthy diet
d.
Lose weight, practice meditation, quit smoking
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)
QUIZ: Cancer and its prevention (ANSWERS)
Select the best answer.
1.
Cancer is best described as:
a.
Cell mutations that cause abnormal multiplication
b.
A disease that can spread through the bloodstream or by invasion of
surrounding tissue
c.
Most likely to occur in old age
d.
All of the above
2. Which of the following is not a symptom of benign prostate enlargement?
a.
Weaker urine stream
b.
Erection problems
c.
Frequency (a short time between needing to urinate)
d.
Dribbling after finishing urination
3. Prostate cancer accounts for approximately what percentage of all male cancers in
Australia?
a.
10%
b.
30%
c.
50%
d.
Most prostate cancers are actually benign prostate enlargement and do
not need risky treatment
4. Which statement about prostate cancer is most correct?
a.
A high PSA test nearly always indicates early prostate cancer
b.
It occurs most commonly in men in their 50s
c.
Heavy alcohol use is the biggest risk factor
d.
Most men with the disease will die with it, rather than from it
5. The best combination for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer is:
a.
Exercising regularly, not smoking, eating oily fish
b.
Plenty of fruit and vegetables, eating oily fish, B vitamin supplements
c.
Plenty of fruit and vegetables, not smoking, maintaining healthy body
weight
d.
Not drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, B vitamin supplements
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
ILLNESS PREVENTION
(Tab 21) Cancer and its prevention: resources, activities and handouts
Men’s Health Peer Education
6. Lung cancer is:
a.
The most common cause of cancer death in Australia
b.
The most common cancer in Australian men
c.
Mostly successfully treated
d.
None of the above
7. The most lethal skin cancer is:
a.
Basal cell carcinoma
b.
Squamous cell carcinoma
c.
Solar keratosis
d.
Melanoma
8. Testicular cancer:
a.
Is most common in men between 40 and 60, but rare in old age
b.
Has been found in many studies to be nearly always detected early by
weekly testicular self-examination
c.
Is only definitely diagnosed with surgical removal of the affected testicle
d.
Can be prevented largely by avoiding sporting injuries to the testicles and
overly tight clothing around the groin
9. What is the best approach to talking with someone about their cancer diagnosis?
a.
Tell them you are open to discussion whenever and however they want
b.
Don’t mention it if they don’t, as many people prefer not to discuss it
c.
If they haven’t said anything after a month they are probably in denial, and
you could recommend talking to a counsellor
d.
Encourage them to just get on with life, which is the best way of dealing
with cancer
10. The best way to reduce cancer risk is to:
a.
Quit smoking, be SunSmart, be physically active
b.
Get checked by your doctor, practice meditation, be vegetarian
c.
Take vitamin B and C and omega-3 supplements, don’t drink alcohol, eat a
healthy diet
d.
Lose weight, practice meditation, quit smoking
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)
Handout
The following handout can be found in this section:

DVA MHPE Information Sheet: Cancer and its prevention
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)
MHPE Information Sheet: Cancer and its prevention
Cancer involves changes to genes within specific cells, which can then grow and
invade locally or spread to other sites. Half of all Australians will be diagnosed
with cancer by the age of 85. Most will not die from the cancer, but cancer is our
leading cause of death.
Skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are the most common cancers in Australia.
Most are not life-threatening; the survival rate is over 99% if treated early.
Melanoma makes up 9.5% of all other cancers in Australia. More than 95% of skin
cancer in Australia is due to sun overexposure. Check your skin, see your GP if any
spots change or you have any concerns. Slip, slop, slap, seek, slide!
Prostate cancer
Benign Prostate Enlargement is common, is not cancer and does not become
cancer. It often causes problems with urination and is usually very treatable.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australia after NMSC, and risk
increases over 50 years of age. There are no proven measures to prevent prostate
cancer. Early diagnosis is important. Prostate cancer can be one of the least
threatening of cancers. The majority of men with prostate cancer are more likely to
die with the disease rather than from the disease. Talk with your GP about all
urinary or sexual symptoms.
Colorectal (bowel) cancer
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer (excluding NMSC) in Australians.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening test kit is sent 5 yearly to Australians aged 50
to 74 to detect blood in the faeces. Any problems detected will be followed up with
a colonoscopy. The risk of bowel cancer can be reduced by not smoking, eating a
healthy diet (plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables), limiting alcohol intake and
maintaining a healthy body weight. If diagnosed and treated early, bowel cancer
has a high survival rate. Do your screening test, and see your GP if any bowel
concerns.
Lung cancer
Although only 9% of all cancers, lung cancer causes over 20% of cancer deaths in
Australia. Signs may include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing that can
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
ILLNESS PREVENTION
(Tab 21) Cancer and its prevention: resources, activities and handouts
Men’s Health Peer Education
produce bloody sputum, weight loss, lethargy or loss of appetite, but these signs
often appear late. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. The best
way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke or to quit smoking. See your GP if you
need help to quit.
Most people with cancer have successful outcomes after treatment.
There are seven simple steps you can take to reduce your cancer risk:
1. Quit smoking
2. Eat for health
3. Maintain a healthy weight
4. Be SunSmart
5. Limit alcohol intake
6. Be physically active
7. Get checked by your doctor
Further information
Cancer Council Helpline: 13 11 20 allows anyone to talk with a cancer nurse
Cancer Council Australia website (www.cancer.org.au)
Bowel Cancer Screening Program website (www.cancerscreening.gov.au) or
1800 118 868
Andrology Australia website (www.andrologyaustralia.org)
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia website (www.prostate.org.au)
Reviewed: 08/10/2015