15 Cancer Symptoms Men Ignore

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Cancer Health Center

15 Cancer Symptoms Men Ignore
Men, heed these possible clues and find cancer early, when it's more treatable.
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Some men are notorious foot-draggers, especially when it comes to scheduling doctor visits. That’s unfortunate. Routine preventive care can find cancer in men and other diseases in the early stages, when there are more options for treatment and better chances of a cure. Some men, though, would never go to the doctor except for the women in their life. According to Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer for the national office of the American Cancer Society, women are often the ones who push men to get screened for cancer.

Experts say that men could benefit greatly by being alert to certain cancer symptoms that indicate a trip to the doctor’s office sooner rather than later. Some of those cancer symptoms in men are specific. They involve certain body parts and may even point directly to the possibility of cancer. Other symptoms are more vague. For instance, pain that affects many body parts could have dozens of explanations and may not be cancer. But that doesn’t mean you can rule out cancer without seeing a doctor.

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Cancer Symptom in Men No. 1: Breast Mass



Cancer Symptom in Men No. 2: Pain

As they age, people often complain of more aches and pains. But pain, as vague as it may be, can be an early symptom of some cancers although most pain complaints are not from cancer.


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 3: Changes in the Testicles


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 3: Changes in the Testicles continued...


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 4: Changes in the Lymph Nodes


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 5: Fever

If you've got an unexplained fever, it may indicate cancer. It could also be a sign of pneumonia or some other illness that needs treatment.


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 6: Weight Loss Without Trying

Unexpected weight loss is a concern, Lichtenfeld says. "Most of us don't lose weight easily." He's talking about more than simply a few pounds from a stepped up exercise program or to eating less because of a busy schedule. If a man loses more than 10% of his body weight in a short time period such as a matter of weeks, it’s time to see the doctor, he says.


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 7: Gnawing Abdominal Pain and Depression


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 8: Fatigue


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 9: Persistent Cough



Cancer Symptom in Men No. 10: Difficulty Swallowing


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 11: Changes in the Skin

You should be alert to not only changes in moles -- a well-known sign of potential skin cancer -- but also changes in skin pigmentation, says Mary Daly, MD. Daly is an oncologist and head of the department of clinical genetics at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 12: Blood Where It Shouldn't Be

“Anytime you see blood coming from a body part where you've never seen it before, see a doctor,” Lichtenfeld says. "If you start coughing or spitting up blood, have blood in the bowel, or blood in the urine, it’s time for a doctor visit.”

Cancer Symptom in Men No. 14: Urinary Problems


Cancer Symptom in Men No. 15: Indigestion

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