DOCTOR'S ORDERS
The 9 early warning signs of cancer no man should ever ignore – from back pain to peeing in the night
Men have a 1 in 2 chance of being diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes; for women, the chance is one in three
A MAN is told he has cancer every three minutes in the UK.
And cases are increasing, according to the NHS - especially among male folk.
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In the UK, around 193,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year, compared to 177,000 women.
For decades doctors have known that than women.
Men have a one in two chance of being diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes; for women, the chance is one in three.
Scientists once believed that the increased risk was tied to lifestyle differences.
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But even as more women started smoking, drinking and joining the workforce, the incidence of cancer remained consistent.
New figures show that among men there was a seven percent increase in overall cancer diagnoses in 2022, from 167,917 to 180,877.
This, NHS officials say, was mainly due to the increase in prostate cancers which rose by more than a quarter to 54,732.
But there is hope, as the earlier the signs are directed, the more likely the cancer can be treated and cured.
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If you have suddenly noticed unexplained weight loss or blood on your stool, see the doctor to get the all-clear to ensure these symptoms are not a sign of something more sinister.
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“A cancer diagnosis is always worrying," Professor Lawrence Young from the University of Warwick said.
"The good news is that with improved diagnostic tests and treatments, cancer survival has doubled over the last 50 years in the UK," the expert added.
"Diagnosing cancer early provides the best chance of successful treatment and cure."
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant for , added: “It is always sad to hear that anyone has been diagnosed with cancer, and most cancers become more common with age.
According to Cancer Research UK, the five most common cancers in men include prostate, lung, bowel, melanoma skin cancer, and head and neck.
Knowing early symptoms can help you get treatment sooner to better your chances of remission.
According to Professor Lawerence, early-warning cancer symptoms in men can include the following.
1. Blood in urine
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If you have blood in your urine, you shouldn’t ignore it.
This is a typical symptom of bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with over 20,500 Brits diagnosed each year.
The deadly condition is more common in older adults, with most new cases diagnosed in people aged 60 and above.
Because the symptoms can be quite vague, around a quarter of all cases are diagnosed late.
The cruel disease kills around half of all those who have it, according to the charity
2. Blood in poo
Blood on your poo or bleeding while sitting on the loo can be an early sign of colon, rectum or bowel cancer.
This is especially concerning if the bleeding persists.
Bowel cancer is now the third most common cancer in the UK.
Around 43,000 Brits are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, with 268,000 living with the disease today.
It is the UK’s second deadliest cancer, claiming 16,500 lives each year.
3. Change in bowel habits
The occasional bowel problem is normal and is nothing to worry about.
However, frequent bouts of diarrhoea and constipation may also indicate either bowel or rectal cancer.
4. Pain in your tummy and indigestion
It's normal to have tummy aches from time to time. This is especially true if you've indulged in fried fatty foods.
However, experiencing tummy pain at the top of your stomach accompanied by lots of ingestion could indicate stomach cancer.
The disease affects about 7,300 people each year in the UK, and it leads to around 5,000 deaths.
Men are twice as likely as women to develop stomach cancer.
5. Unexplained weight loss
Maintaining a healthy weight as you age becomes more difficult, so you might consider weight loss a positive thing.
But sudden and unexplained weight loss can indicate a serious health problem, including almost any type of cancer.
6. Pain in your back
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Back pain is a common cause of disability, but very few men know it may be a symptom of cancer.
Some cancer symptoms, including an achy back, may not show until it has spread to other parts of your body, such as the bones of your spine.
For example, prostate cancer is especially prone to spread to the bones and may cause these symptoms within your hip bones and lower back.
7. Unusual lumps
Unusual lumps cropping up anywhere on the body cause concern.
Men should look for unusual growths in the testicles, as this could be a sign of testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer is diagnosed around 2,300 times every year in the UK and is the 17th most common cancer in the country.
It affects younger men, but experts do not know exactly what causes it.
8. A persistent cough
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It's quite normal to cough now and again, especially in the winter when many respiratory viruses are floating about.
However, a persistent cough can be a sign of lung cancer.
Lung cancer accounts for around 13 per cent of all new cases of the disease each year, and each day, around 130 people are told they have the illness.
It is the UK’s biggest killer, with more than 35,000 losing their lives every year.
9. Peeing at night
Being woken up at night by the need to wee is a pretty common experience as men get older.
But it doesn't necessarily make it 'normal'.
It might be down to a hormonal imbalance, or it could be a sign of prostate cancer.
The disease - which affects one in eight men, according to - might not cause any noticeable symptoms at first because of the way the cancer grows.
But signs can include:
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- Difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
- A weak flow when you urinate
- A feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
- Dribbling urine after you finish urinating
- Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
- A sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet
If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. But it's a good idea to get them checked out by a GP
How to reduce your risk of cancer
MAKING some simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer.
Not all cancers can be prevented, but you can do things to reduce your risk.
This includes:
Not smoking
Not smoking is the best thing you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. Harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke affect the entire body, not just our lungs.
If you smoke, the best thing you can do for your health is quit.
Keep a healthy weight
Being a healthy weight has many health benefits, including reducing cancer risk.
But the world around us can make this difficult, which is why the government must also help.
Have a healthy, balanced diet
Having healthy food and drink can reduce your risk of cancer.
Aim to have plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain foods high in fibre and healthy proteins.
Cut down on processed and red meat, alcohol and high-calorie foods and drinks.
Enjoy the sun safely
Being safe in the sun reduces the risk of skin cancer. Too much UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds damages our skin cells.
When the sun is strong, take extra care to protect your skin- spend time in the shade, cover up with clothing, and use sunscreen.
Cut back on alcohol
Cutting back on alcohol reduces your risk of seven types of cancer.
It doesn't matter what type it is - all alcohol can cause damage. Whatever your drinking habits, drinking less alcohol will improve your health.
Source: Cancer Research UK
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