Men have a higher risk of developing cancer and dying from the disease compared to women, according to US National Cancer Institute. Early detection could increase the survival rate, but many men tend to ignore or minimize the warning signs. Unexplained weight loss of more than 10 pounds, the presence of blood in the urine, or persistent changes in bowel movements may signal serious problems that warrant a visit to the doctor.
Unexplained weight loss, the first red flag
Many men are surprised to find that they lose a few pounds without making any changes to their diet or exercise. When this loss exceeds 5 percent of body weight over a period of up to a year, doctors consider it unintentional weight loss, according to a study published in 2017.
The phenomenon can be a warning signal for serious conditions, including cancers of the stomach, lungs or pancreas, which can manifest themselves before other symptoms.
Tumor cells use up much of the energy and nutrients intended for healthy tissue, causing the body to use up its stores of fat and muscle mass. This energy imbalance often leads to persistent fatigue and rapid weight loss, two signs that doctors consider important reasons for investigation.
Changes in intestinal transit, possible symptom of colon cancer
Occasional episodes of constipation or diarrhea are common and usually do not indicate a serious problem. The situation changes radically when these changes persist for weeks or when other associated symptoms appear. Alternation between constipation and diarrhea, change in the shape or consistency of the stool can be signs of an early stage colon cancer.
Both hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer can cause itching, pain, rectal bleeding, and bloody stools. The difference is evolution, which means that hemorrhoids tend to get worse temporarily and then get better, so symptoms appear intermittently. If rectal bleeding becomes persistent or increases in intensity, the risks of cancer, and not hemorrhoids, increase.
Colon cancer is among the most common types of cancer in men, but it's also one of the easiest to treat when caught early. Any trace of blood in the stool, either red or dark, tar-like, should be investigated immediately to rule out a malignant cause.
Urinary problems, signs of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer remains the most common form of cancer in men. Statistics show that over half of men end up developing this condition by the age of 80. However, early detection can increase five-year survival to nearly 98%.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located in the pelvis that produces some components of sperm. As men age, the gland enlarges and tumors become more likely. Many of them develop slowly, but early signs should not be ignored.
Pain during ejaculation, urine or semen with traces of blood, discomfort when urinating or the frequent need to go to the toilet are symptoms that require medical evaluation. In more advanced stages, persistent pain in the lower back or pelvis and swelling of the legs may occur, indicating that the disease may have spread.
Unfortunately, many benign prostate diseases, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition that involves an enlarged prostate, can produce similar symptoms. That's why routine tests and regular screening are the only sure way to detect prostate cancer at a treatable stage.
Symptoms of testicular cancer, the disease of young men
According to the US National Institutes of Health, testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men between the ages of 15 and 45. Although rare in the general population, the number of cases is increasing. The good news is that, caught early, it has one of the highest survival rates, more than 95 percent at five years, according to the American Cancer Society.
The most common sign of testicular cancer is the appearance of a lump or mass on one of the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a change in its consistency. Other symptoms such as dull pain in the lower abdomen or groin, fluid accumulation in the scrotum, testicular discomfort or back pain may also occur.
Less well known is that this type of cancer can cause breast tissue to grow, a condition called gynecomastia, or even bloody sputum or phlegm. Any changes in the testicles should be discussed with the doctor, although bacterial and viral infections can also cause testicular swelling and pain.
Breast cancer in men
Although many consider breast cancer to be an exclusively female disease, men can also develop this condition. About 1 percent of breast cancer cases occur in men, according to estimates by the American Cancer Society. The five-year survival rate is about 83 percent.
Below the nipple, men have a small amount of breast tissue that contains ducts. Male breast cancer usually starts in these ducts and spreads to the surrounding breast tissue.
Warning signs include lumps or hard masses in the breast area, redness, irritation or scaly or indented skin, discharge from the nipple, pain or inward nipple retraction, rash or sores around the nipple, small hard lumps in the armpit.
A persistent cough and hoarseness may indicate lung cancer
A cough that doesn't go away or gets worse over time can signal several serious conditions, including lung cancer.
People who experience a chronic cough without an obvious cause should see a doctor, especially if they expectorate blood, produce excessive mucus, have difficulty breathing, or chest pain.
Hoarseness that persists for more than a few weeks or a persistent cough unrelated to a respiratory infection can be signs of lung cancer. In some cases, a permanent hoarseness indicates disorders of the larynx or thyroid gland.
Lung cancer often presents with a chronic cough, sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain, while persistent voice changes may signal damage to the vocal cords or the formation of a tumor in the throat area.
Difficulty swallowing, a neglected symptom
Persistent difficulty swallowing, medically known as dysphagia, can be an early sign of esophageal or laryngeal cancer, especially when it doesn't improve within a few weeks. Sometimes it is accompanied by pain, the feeling that food stops in the throat or weight loss.
Dysphagia does not always indicate a serious illness. In many cases, it occurs due to gastroesophageal reflux, local inflammation or viral infections.
However, when difficulty persists or worsens, a full medical evaluation is necessary, as it may signal a tumor partially blocking the esophagus or affecting the functioning of the muscles and nerves involved in swallowing.
Lumps and nodules
Any new lump or lump, especially in areas such as the neck, armpit, groin or testicles, should be checked by a doctor.
Although they can also be benign cysts, they can also indicate cancers such as lymphoma or testicular cancer.
Early detection allows for less aggressive treatment options, and masses in certain areas are often associated with specific types of cancer. Even those that seem harmless can hide serious problems.
Skin changes, ABCDE rule
New growths, changes in existing moles, or non-healing wounds should always be evaluated. Specialists recommend the ABCDE rule for monitoring moles: Asymmetry, Irregular borders, Uneven color, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser and Evolution over time.
Skin changes are visible and can be constantly monitored.
Early-stage skin cancer is treatable, so regular skin checks should be part of your routine. Thickening of the skin, changes in its color, the appearance of flat or slightly raised brick or bluish-brown growths, lumps on the penis, wounds that bleed or do not heal, reddish rashes under the foreskin with a velvety appearance or foul-smelling secretions can all signal an infection or precancerous lesion and require immediate medical evaluation.
Such symptoms are often ignored out of embarrassment or fear of a serious diagnosis, but early identification allows for minimally invasive treatments and a much higher chance of a full recovery.
Chronic fatigue
Fatigue is common in everyday life, but when it becomes constant and does not go away after rest, it can signal a serious problem. Certain cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, colon and gastric cancer, can manifest as persistent exhaustion, even before other obvious symptoms appear.
Some cancers affect the production of red blood cells, cells that carry oxygen around the body. When their number decreases, the tissues no longer receive enough oxygen, and the person feels exhausted even after prolonged sleep or rest.
Fatigue that persists for weeks without a clear cause and without improvement, especially if accompanied by weight loss, dizziness, or pallor, should be discussed with a doctor. A simple set of blood tests can quickly guide the diagnosis.
Persistent pain
Unexplained and persistent pain, whether in the back, abdomen or any other part of the body, can sometimes indicate cancer. For example, chronic back pain can be a sign of prostate cancer.
Persistent or recurring abdominal pain or nausea may indicate a digestive problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome or gastroenteritis. These symptoms can also sometimes occur due to cancer of the stomach, bile ducts or pancreas.
If stomach pain occurs along with unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, blood in the stool, fatigue, jaundice, or heartburn, it should be evaluated.
