Men and Cancer: 15 Signs You Should Never Ignore

SIGNS IT COULD BE CANCER

Men are notoriously bad at going to see the doctor. While it’s tempting to ignore worrying health problems, the following 15 symptoms should be checked out immediately. The earlier cancer is found, the more treatment options are available, and the better your chances of recovery. 

If you notice any of these symptoms it’s time to see your doctor

Lump in the Breast

Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women. Although it’s not common it men, it does happen. If you notice a lump in the breast area, get it checked out. Signs to watch for include skin puckering, nipple retraction, redness or scaling of the nipple or skin, and nipple discharge. 

Changes in the Testicles

Testicular cancer is most common in men aged 20 to 39. Regularly examining your testicles and feeling for changes, such as growth or shrinkage, could save your life. If you notice swelling, a hard lump, or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, see your doctor immediately. Some testicular cancers can develop very quickly.

Swelling in the Lymph Nodes

If you notice a lump or swelling that seems to be getting progressively larger in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck – or any other area of your body – it’s time to see your doctor. Lymph node swelling is usually the result of something other than cancer but it can also be caused by lymphoma and leukemia.

Unexplained Fever

Fever is most often a sign of infection but it can also indicate cancer. Blood cancers, such as lymphoma or leukemia, are associated with fever, though many others cancers can cause fever, particularly as the tumour spreads from its original site to other parts of the body.

Unexplained Weight Loss

If you’ve lost weight without trying recently (you haven’t changed your diet or exercise routine) it can be cause for concern. If you’ve lost more than 10% of your body weight within three to six months, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Persistent Abdominal Pain and Depression

The medical world has been aware of a link between depression and pancreatic cancer for some time. If you experience severe pain in the stomach and are feeling depressed, it’s worth going for a check-up. Pancreatic cancer can also cause jaundice, grey stools, dark urine and itching over the entire body.

Fatigue

Fatigue can be caused by a wide variety of illnesses, including stress, as well as lifestyle factors. It can also be an indicator of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, fatigue can be an early sign of leukemia, colon cancer and stomach cancer.

Persistent Cough

A persistent cough that lasts for three weeks or more, or a change in cough, shouldn’t be ignored – especially if you’re a smoker. A severe or prolonged cough may signal chronic bronchitis or it could be lung cancer. Your doctor will be able to run tests to confirm. 

Problems Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing can be a sign of cancer of the throat or esophagus. If you gag, cough, or choke when trying to swallow, or have pain or feel like food is stuck in your throat, see your GP who can run tests.

Changes of a Mole

A change in the size, shape and colour of a mole, the development of a new mole, or changes in skin pigmentation (such as excessive scaling or bleeding) are signs of skin cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, men are mostly affected on the trunk – 38% of cancerous moles appear here, followed by the face (22%), the arms (17%) and the legs (15%). 

Unexplained Blood

If you notice blood where it shouldn’t be, see your doctor immediately. Coughing or spitting up blood and blood in the stools or urine should never be ignored. Don’t assume blood in the stools is caused by piles – it could be colon cancer. 

Changes in the Mouth

The appearance of white patches inside the mouth and white spots on the tongue are both signs of leukoplakia, a pre-cancerous area that can progress to oral cancer. See your doctor, especially if you smoke or chew tobacco.

Changes to urination

As men get older, they need to urinate more frequently, especially at night, and feel greater urgency to urinate. If the symptoms get worse, see your doctor as you may have an enlarged prostate – which may be benign or caused by cancer. 

Worsening Indigestion

Bad indigestion isn’t just confused with heart attacks. It can also be a sign of cancer of the throat, esophagus, or stomach. If your indigestion lasts for several weeks or is getting worse, see your doctor. 

Persistent Pain

Most aches and pains are not caused by cancer, but persistent pain can be an early symptom of some cancers, so it’s wise to get checked out.

Consult your doctor and do a screening test

For more health info and promotions, please follow us on Facebook- Wellness Lab

Download Wellness Lab mobile apps now for more promotions 

If you like this article, you can share this to your friends and families , together we share the health information and the taste of a healthy life!