Cancer Symptoms Men Ignore
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:
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. With skin
cancer, you don't want to wait, says Marleen Meyers, MD, an
oncologist at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center.
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.
Top
Cancer-Fighting Foods
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.
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