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A number of terms describe men in their late 40s, 50s, and beyond, but cancer victim shouldn’t be one of them. Of the cancers found in men of their later years, prostate, lung, and colon are the most commonly diagnosed. They also represent the highest number of cancer deaths.

The good news is that screening or prevention methods exist for all three. Men in their 50s should get screened for colon and prostate cancer, as both cancers have a high survival rate if detected earlier, at more treatable stages.

“Cancer prevention and early detection go hand in hand to decrease a man’s risk and improve potential outcomes,” said Andrew Selzman, M.D., urologist, Texas Urology Specialists-Memorial City. “While screening should begin in the 40s or 50s, depending on a man’s risk factors, it is never too early to take preventive measures to protect against cancer down the road.”

Multiple studies have linked obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating with an increased risk for prostate and colon cancers, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical to prevention. Likewise, smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, so it is imperative that men avoid tobacco use at all ages.

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