13 signs of cancer men need to stop ignoring

Signs of cancer in men can often appear to be minor issues or linked to other diseases or conditions. This is why men should never ignore any health symptoms. Here are some signs of cancer to look out for, according to doctors.

experience unexplained erectile dysfunction, see your doctor; these could be symptoms of prostate cancer. “Unfortunately, there aren’t noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer until the aggressive stages,” says Dr Moshe Shike, a gastroenterologist. Dr Shike says he frequently sees patients who ignore these symptoms for up to six months before they seek help, but the sooner you check out your symptoms, the better.

Just as women should be familiar with how their breasts look and feel, men should pay attention to their testicles. If you notice changes in size to one or both, if they feel swollen or extra heavy, or if you feel a lump, these symptoms could indicate testicular cancer, says oncologist Dr Maurie Markman. Testicular cancer is most common in young and middle-aged men.

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Men over 50 are more likely to die from skin cancer than women in the same age group; young men have a higher probability of developing deadly melanoma (the most serious skin cancer) than any other cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Council. It’s easy to miss the early warning signs of cancer in men. If you notice a mole getting darker, larger, or becoming raised, get it checked. With melanoma, spots are often irregularly shaped (not round), significantly darker in colour, or even two distinctly different colours within one spot. Melanoma is far less common than other skin cancers, but has the potential to be more deadly. However, many melanomas have a long period where they’re not invasive and easy to cure, as long as they’re caught early.

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A cold sore that heals is probably nothing to worry about, nor is a toothache that goes away after a trip to the dentist. But if you notice sores that don’t heal, pain that sticks around, white or red patches on the gums or tongue, and any swelling or numbness of the jaw, it could be a sign of some mouth cancers. Men who smoke or use chewing tobacco have an increased risk of developing mouth cancer, says Dr Markman. “More men smoke than women. Smokers and users of chewing tobacco need to be far more concerned with sores in their mouth that do not heal quickly, compared to non-smokers,” he says.

A cough that lasts three weeks or more—without other symptoms, such as a cold or allergies—could be an early symptom of lung cancer. Leukemia also can lead to bronchitis-like symptoms. “If it’s different than your regular cough and if it persists, or you cough up a little blood, that’s significant,” says Dr Markman. Some lung cancer patients report chest pain that extends up into the shoulder or down the arm.

It could be haemorrhoids or something benign—but it could also be a symptom of colon cancer. Routine screening typically starts at age 50, but cases are becoming more common in younger adults, which is why it’s important to see a doctor for any suspicious symptoms that could turn out to be signs of cancer in men. But blood in a bowel movement is never normal, so get it checked out.

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Everyday digestive distress is rarely cancer—but you should see a doctor if you notice persistent stomach cramps or are starting to feel nauseated all the time. It could be something as simple as an ulcer, but it could also signal leukemia or oesophageal, liver, pancreatic, or colorectal cancer.

If you’re usually healthy but notice yourself getting sick or feverish more frequently, it could be an early sign of leukemia. This blood cancer triggers the body to produce abnormal white blood cells, which weakens the body’s infection-fighting abilities. Be on the lookout for flu-like symptoms that don’t go away—it could be one of the signs of cancer in men.

If a sore throat is nothing serious, one of these home remedies for sore throats should be all it takes to relieve the pain. However, a sore throat that persists for a few weeks and gets worse could be a symptom of throat or stomach cancer, as well as an early sign of lung cancer.