Men’s preventive health exams available in Luxembourg

Men are much less likely to go for preventive health tests compared with women even when they receive a letter calling them to get tested, an expert for Fondation Cancer says.

Despite the Health Ministry sending a reminder to all men between 45 and 74 years old to go for colorectal cancer tests every two years, only 28% take part, according to Audrey Gustin, scientific leader for the Luxembourg cancer foundation.

“It is dramatically low,” she said. “Men are less inclined to consult than women, it is an established fact. It saddens me to see that.”

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men in Luxembourg, with around 450 new cases each year, representing a quarter of all new cancer diagnoses, Fondation Cancer data shows. Prostate cancer makes up around 10% of cancer-related deaths among men each year.

Cancer-related deaths among men in Luxembourg in 20222

© Photo credit: Fondation Cancer

In 2022 – the year of the latest statistics – 440 men and 197 women died of an illness that could have been prevented or treated, according to data published by the Ministry of Gender Equalities and Diversity.

“Many men tend not to be as up-to-date as women on various health risks and they think society expects them not to complain,” Gustin said. “Women are also more aware of changes in their bodies.”

Preventive health exams men should do

Prostate cancer

From 50 years old, all men should go to their family doctor and the doctor will prescribe a blood test to check the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) marker – a protein made by normal and cancerous cells. A high level of PSA could indicate prostate cancer and the doctor will refer the patient for further tests.

Men should take the blood test as often as the doctor suggests is necessary, and those with an increased level of PSA in the first test will be monitored more closely.

Colorectal cancer

The Health Ministry sends a letter to all men aged between 45 and 74 to do a screening test, which involves taking a stool collection at home. The test is done every two years.

Those aged 75 and over do not automatically receive the letter because many men in this age group are under treatment for other illnesses and concurrently undergoing a series of treatment, including that for cancer, would decrease their quality of life, Gustin said. Doctors can prescribe a test for those over 75 years if they deem it necessary.

Testicular cancer

This is more common among young men, usually up to their mid-40s, and it is strongly recommended that teenagers and men between 15 and 44 go to the doctor to get checked.

There is no invitation by letter so men should make an appointment with their family doctor to ask for a palpation test, which involves the doctor inspecting the appearance and feel of the testicles, looking out for irregularities, lumps or changes. It is similar to breast palpation tests for women at the gynaecologist. Men are also encouraged to do a self-test at home to check if they feel any differences or abnormalities and consult a doctor as soon as they find anything they are unsure of.

HPV vaccination

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus which can progress to cancer and can be transmitted during sex. Among men, the vaccination can prevent penis, anus and ear, nose or throat cancer. It also protects sexual partners, in particular women from uterine cancer, as it can be transmitted and lead to the partner developing cancerous cells.

Parents of boys aged between nine and 14 years old should speak to their doctor to discuss the vaccination at that age. It comes in two doses and the second dose should be administered a year after the first. Parents need to proactively speak to their doctor as there is no automatic procedure for this and some doctors may not discuss it, Gustin said.

HIV

The Red Cross offers free, anonymous testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C. There is no need to make an appointment. The blood test is the only way to detect an HIV infection. If you have reason to believe you may be infected, you must get tested and use protection while waiting for the results.