Bebe Akinboade
You Are Here

15 CANCER SYMPTOMS MEN IGNORE

Spread the love

You eat pretty well
(some days) and work out (most days). But if you’re like a lot of men, a trip
to the doctor isn’t on your to-do list. That can be bad if it means you brush
off early signs of cancer.
 One of the best
ways to fight the disease is to catch it in the early stages, when it’s more
treatable. The problem is that the warning signs for many kinds of cancer can
seem pretty mild.
 Take a look at
these 15 signs and symptoms. Some are linked more strongly to cancer than
others, but all are worth knowing about — and even talking over with your
doctor.
1. Problems When
You Pee
Many men have some
problems peeing as they get older, like:
  • A need to pee more often, especially at night
  • Dribbling, leaking, or an urgent need to go
  • Trouble starting to pee, or a weak stream
An enlarged
prostate gland usually causes these symptoms, but so can prostate cancer. See
your doctor to check on the cause of the problem. He’ll give you an exam to
look for an enlarged prostate, and he may talk to you about a blood test
(called a PSA test) for prostate cancer.
2. Changes in Your
Testicles
“If you notice
a lump, heaviness, or any other change in your testicle, never delay having it
looked at,” says Herbert Lepor, MD, urology chairman at New York University
Langone Medical Center. “Unlike prostate cancer, which grows slowly,
testicular cancer can take off overnight.” Your doctor will look for any
problems with a physical exam, blood tests, and an ultrasound of your scrotum.
3. Blood in Your
Pee or Stool
These can be among
the first signs of cancer of the bladder, kidneys, or colon. It’s a good idea
to see your doctor for any bleeding that’s not normal, even if you don’t have
other symptoms, Lepor says. Although you’re more likely to have a problem that’s
not cancer, like hemorrhoids or a urinary infection, it’s important to find and
treat the cause.

4. Skin Changes
When you notice a
change in the size, shape, or color of a mole or other spot on your skin, see
your doctor as soon as you can. Spots that are new or look different are top
signs of skin cancer. You’ll need an exam and perhaps a biopsy, which means
doctors remove a small piece of tissue for testing. 
5. Changes in Lymph
Nodes
Swollen lymph
nodes, small bean-shaped glands found in your neck, armpits, and other places,
often signal that something’s going on in your body. Usually, they mean your
immune system is fighting a sore throat or cold, but certain cancers also can
make them change. Have your doctor check any swelling that doesn’t get better
in 2 to 4 weeks, Meyers says.
6. Trouble
Swallowing
Some people have
trouble swallowing from time to time. But if your problems don’t go away and
you’re also losing weight or vomiting, your doctor may want to check you for
throat or stomach cancer. He’ll start with a throat exam and barium X-ray.
During a barium test, you drink a special liquid that makes your throat stand
out on the X-ray.
7. Heartburn
You can take care
of most cases of heartburn with changes to your diet, drinking habits, and
stress levels. If that doesn’t help, ask your doctor to look into your
symptoms. Heartburn that doesn’t go away or gets worse could mean stomach or
throat cancer.
  
8. Mouth Changes
If you smoke or
chew tobacco, you have a higher risk of mouth cancer. Keep an eye out for white
or red patches inside your mouth or on your lips. Talk to your doctor or
dentist about tests and treatments.
9. Weight Loss
Without Trying
Pants fitting a
little looser? If you haven’t changed your diet or exercise habits, it could
mean that stress or a thyroid problem is taking a toll. But losing 10 pounds or
more without trying isn’t normal. Although most unintended weight loss is not
cancer, it’s one of the signs of cancer of the pancreas, stomach, or lungs.
Your doctor can find out more with blood tests and tools that make detailed
pictures of the inside of your body, like a CT or PET scan.
10. Fever
A fever is usually
not a bad thing — it means your body is fighting an infection. But one that
won’t go away and doesn’t have an explanation could signal leukemia or another
blood cancer. Your doctor should take your medical history and give you a
physical exam to check on the cause.
11. Breast Changes
“Men tend to
ignore breast lumps because breast cancer isn’t on their radar,” Meyers
says. “But 1% of all breast cancers occur in men, although they’re usually
diagnosed much later.” Don’t take any chances. If you find a lump, tell
your doctor and have it checked.
12. Fatigue
Many types of
cancer cause a bone-deep tiredness that never gets better, no matter how much
rest you get. It’s different from the exhaustion you feel after a hectic week
or a lot of activity. If fatigue is affecting your daily life, talk to your
doctor. She can help you find the cause and let you know if there are ways to
treat it.
13. Cough
In nonsmokers, a
nagging cough is almost never cancer. Most go away after 3 to 4 weeks. If yours
doesn’t, and you’re short of breath or cough up blood, don’t delay a visit to
your doctor, especially if you smoke. A cough is the most common sign of lung
cancer. Your doctor can test mucus from your lungs to see if you have an
infection. He may also give you a chest X-ray to check for another problem.
 14. Pain
Cancer doesn’t
cause most aches and pains, but if you’re hurting for more than a month, don’t
just grin and bear it. Ongoing pain can be a signal of many types of cancer,
especially those that have spread, Lepor says.
15. Belly Pain and
Depression
It’s rare, but
depression along with stomach pain can be a sign of cancer of the pancreas.
Should you worry? Not unless this cancer runs in your family, Meyers says. Then
you need to see your doctor.
Source:
www.wedmd.com
bebeakinboade
Latest posts by bebeakinboade (see all)

Related Posts