5 Early Signs of Cancer in Men
When it comes to visiting the doctor, men tend to delay making an appointment. It’s important to have regular check-ups and know what’s normal for your body. As a leading cancer treatment center in the Raleigh/Durham region, we caution patients to watch for these early signs of cancer in men.
Cancer in men vs. women can differ significantly in cancer types, prevalence, mortality rates and underlying genetic and lifestyle factors. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away:
1) Difficulty urinating and/or changes in bowel function
Frequent urination or blood in the urine, as well as prolonged constipation or diarrhea, could be related to prostate or colorectal cancer.
2) Breast changes
Many people don’t realize that men can get breast cancer. Symptoms may include lumps or swelling in the breast tissue, skin changes or pain around the nipple, and swollen lymph nodes under the armpit.
3) Respiratory changes
Shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or a persistent cough can be a sign of lung or other cancers in men.
4) Unintentional weight loss
As a less localized symptom, some men may overlook sudden or excessive loss of weight as a potential sign of cancer. Many types of cancer can cause changes in metabolism, loss of appetite and inflammation, which can result in unintentional weight loss.
5) Fatigue
Extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest could also be a symptom of cancer. The same responses in the body that cause weight loss can bring on fatigue.
Common cancers in men
The symptoms above could be red flags related to common cancers occurring in men, which include:
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, occurring in 1 out of 8. While it can be treated if caught early, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men after lung cancer. Learn more about prostate cancer.
Lung cancer
Men have a greater risk of getting lung cancer than women for several reasons. First, they are more likely to be smokers, which has been proven to cause lung cancer. They also face higher occupational hazards, including exposure to carcinogens and proximity to workplaces such as construction, mining, and factories. Learn more about lung cancer.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, is the growth and spread of cancer cells in the colon or rectum. Men are about 50% more likely to develop colon cancer than women. However, this type of cancer is often preventable with regular colonoscopy screenings. Learn more about colon cancer.
Breast cancer
While the incidence of breast cancer in men is low, it does occur. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 2,800 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. Learn more about breast cancer.
Early detection of cancer in men
Cancer is a disease that has significant physical, emotional and financial impacts, not only on the patient but also on their family and loved ones. If you have a family history of cancer, there’s an even higher risk of developing the disease. The earlier you identify the signs, the better the chances that cancer treatment can be effective.
Men are prone to ignore what might seem like a minor health issue. Being proactive about your health and knowing the signs of cancer in men can lead to early detection and the best possible outcome.
If you’re concerned about a sign or symptom that could be cancer, schedule an appointment with your primary physician and get scheduled for a cancer screening test. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you can turn to Personalized Hematology-Oncology, a leading cancer treatment center for patients in the Raleigh-Durham area.
