10 Signs of cancer in men

One of the most effective strategies to combat the condition is to catch it early on, when it is more curable. The issue is that many cancer warning symptoms can appear to be quite mild.

Check out these 10 warning signs and symptoms. Some are more firmly connected to cancer than others, but they’re all worth learning about and discussing with your doctor.

1. Issues with Peeing

As males get older, they often experience issues with peeing, such as:

A desire to pee more frequently, particularly at night

Dribbling, leaking, or a pressing need to relieve yourself

Peeing difficulties or a sluggish stream

When they pee, they experience a scorching feeling.

These symptoms are usually caused by an enlarged prostate gland, although prostate cancer can also cause them. Make sure you visit your doctor so that you can know the source of the problem.

They’ll give you a physical exam to check for an enlarged prostate, and they may suggest a blood test for prostate cancer (called a PSA test).

2. Testicular Alterations

“A lump, heaviness, or any other alteration in your testicle should never be ignored,” advises Herbert Lepor, MD, urology head at New York University Langone Medical Center. “In contrast to prostate cancer, which grows slowly, testicular cancer can spread quickly.” A physical exam, blood tests, and an ultrasound of your scrotum will be used by your doctor to look for any concerns.

3. Blood in Your Stool or Pee

These can be one of the early indicators of bladder, kidney, or colon cancer. Even if you don’t have any other symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor if you have any unusual bleeding, according to Lepor. Although you’re more likely to have an issue that isn’t cancer, such as hemorrhoids or a urinary infection, it’s still crucial to figure out what’s causing it and treat it.

4. Changes in the Skin

If the size, shape, or color of a mole or other lesion on your skin changes, consult your doctor as soon as possible. New or different-looking spots are common indicators of skin cancer. You’ll need a physical exam and maybe a biopsy, in which a little bit of tissue is removed for examination.

You don’t want to delay with skin cancer, according to Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center.

5. Changes in Lymph Nodes

Swelling and tenderness in your lymph nodes, which are little bean-shaped glands found in your neck, armpits, and other locations, can indicate that something is wrong with your body. It usually indicates that your immune system is battling a sore throat or cold, but it can potentially indicate the presence of malignancy. According to Meyers, any swelling or discomfort that does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks should be checked by a doctor.

6. Suffocation Issues

Some people have difficulty swallowing on occasion. Your doctor may want to check you for throat or stomach cancer if your symptoms don’t go away and you’re also losing weight or vomiting. The procedure will begin with a throat check and a barium X-ray. You swallow a specific beverage that makes your throat shine out on an X-ray during a barium test.

7. Acid Reflux

Most occurrences of heartburn can be alleviated by altering your food, drinking habits, and stress levels. If that doesn’t work, consult your doctor about your problems. Heartburn that persists or worsens could indicate stomach or throat cancer. Barrett’s esophagus, which occurs when stomach acid damages the lining of the esophagus, can also be caused by heartburn. Barrett’s can make you more susceptible to throat cancer, even if it’s rare.

8. Changes in the Mouth

You have an increased risk of mouth cancer if you smoke or chew tobacco. You can also have a canker sore that resembles an ulcer with a crater. Concerns concerning testing and treatments should be discussed with your doctor or dentist.

9. Weight Loss Without Effort

Pants that are a touch too big? If you haven’t made any changes to your diet or exercise routine, it’s possible that stress or a thyroid problem is to blame. It’s not common, though, to lose 10 pounds or more without trying.

Although most unplanned weight loss isn’t cancer, it can be an indication of pancreatic, stomach, or lung cancer. Blood tests and technologies that provide comprehensive images of the inside of your body, such as a CT or PET scan, can help your doctor learn more.

10. Fever

A fever is usually not harmful because it indicates that your body is fighting an infection. However, a persistent rash without an explanation could be an indication of leukemia or similar blood malignancy. To determine the cause, your doctor should examine your medical history and conduct a physical examination.