Cancer warning symptoms in men should not be ignored

Experts said that, compared to women, bearded men often underestimate cancer and ignore the symptoms of this disease that they are experiencing. With most cancers, the earlier a patient is diagnosed, the better the chance of survival. Men should listen to their bodies and watch for warning signs of cancer. Learning about the leading causes of cancer death in men is the first step. In which, 10 common types of cancer in men are lung cancer; prostate cancer; colorectal cancer; Pancreatic Cancer; liver and bile duct cancer, blood cancer, esophageal cancer; bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and kidney cancer.

Chronic cough

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men. The most common symptom of lung cancer in men is a chronic cough, often described as a cough that doesn’t go away. Coughing is more likely to be related to lung cancer if men have a history of smoking, exposure to radon in the home, or frequent work with industrial chemicals, asbestos, or diesel fuel.

However, lung cancer also occurs in people who have never smoked and who do not have any obvious risk factors. The disease is on the rise among young people who have never smoked.

Other symptoms that indicate lung cancer may include difficulty breathing, wheezing, hoarseness, or coughing up blood. If a man has a chronic cough, even if there are no other symptoms, he should see a doctor.
If the man has smoked in the past, he can check for lung cancer by CT. Screening can often detect early, increasing the chance of cure. If men are aged 55-80, have smoked for at least 30 years or more, and smoke or quit in the past 15 years, they should also talk to their doctor.

Pain or difficulty urinating

Prostate cancer is the second cancer with new cases in men and the fifth leading cause of death in the world in 2021, according to Globocan statistics. Pain or difficulty urinating is often a sign, which may include a weak urine stream or the need to urinate frequently at night.

There’s been some controversy over prostate cancer screening in recent years, but many men still contract and die from prostate cancer. Men should share with their doctor to be screened and diagnosed when there are suspicious symptoms.

Pelvic pain

Pain in the pelvic area can be a symptom of many diseases, including testicular cancer, prostate cancer, or colorectal cancer. The pain may be caused by the tumor itself or by the involvement of lymph nodes in the pelvis. Men should seek medical attention when pain persists for more than a few days or does not go away.

Frequent upset stomach

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in men. While colonoscopy is recommended for people in their 50s, some men may develop the disease at a younger age or may not have undergone screening. Some people have symptoms such as blood in the stool, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, thinner stools, or just a change in bowel habits. Persistent stomach pain or discomfort may also be related to liver and bile duct cancers.

Meanwhile, pancreatic cancer often begins with an abdominal pain, which can come and go. Patients with liver cancer may experience jaundice, yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, and intense itching.

Blood in the urine or testicular tumor

Bladder cancer is the 8th most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. The first symptom is usually blood in the urine. However, there are other causes of bloody urine (or even pink urine) but all should be checked. The most common causes are cigarette smoking and occupational chemical exposure. As with other cancers, many people develop the disease despite having no clear risk factors.

Blood in the urine can also be a sign of kidney cancer. A lump, regardless of size, in the testicle can be a sign of testicular cancer and men need a scrotum and testicle examination for follow-up.

Unexplained weight loss

Unintentional weight loss is a worrying symptom, not only for cancer but also for other conditions. With cancer, it can happen with blood-related cancers such as leukemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or possibly advanced cancers. If a man loses 5% of his body weight in a period of 6-12 months, he should go to the hospital for a checkup.

Tired

Fatigue is one of the most common cancer symptoms. It often occurs with blood-related cancers such as leukemia and also often occurs with solid tumours. Cancer fatigue is different from other common illnesses, from the fatigue felt after a long day at work or a sleepless night. It is fatigue that is often not improved with good sleep or strong coffee.

Fatigue can be insidious and worsen over time without men realizing it. Feeling more tired than you were 6 months ago or not being able to do normal daily activities could be a sign of cancer.

Breast changes

Breast cancer in men is not as common as it is in women, but it does happen. About one in 100 cases of breast cancer is found in men. Men who develop breast cancer are more likely to have a family history of the disease or carry a BRCA gene mutation.

Symptoms of male breast cancer can include a lump, discharge in the nipple, sagging skin, or a red and scaly rash on the breast. Men may also first notice swelling in the armpits due to lymph node involvement.

Pain and damage to the penis

Pain or lesions on the penis can be a symptom of penile cancer. Penile cancer is usually caused by the HPV virus. This virus can also cause genital warts.

Cancer survival rates are improving, and in part because of early detection. Therefore, men who notice the above symptoms or have other problems should go to the hospital.

Kim Uyen (According to Verywellhealth)