20 signs of cancer that men usually ignoreتجاهل

Some men may ignore early symptoms of cancer, when the outcome can be dire.

Therefore, some persistent symptoms should always be taken seriously.

“Men tend to ignore symptoms,” says Cynthia Chinedu Obiozor, M.D., an oncologist and hematologist in Thousand Oaks, California. “And this has repeatedly led to worse health outcomes.”

In a report published by the American magazine It This Not That, author Michael Martin touched on the most common signs of cancer that men usually ignore, according to experts.

1- scaly skin

According to Tsipura Shainhouse, M.D., a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, “Patches that never heal on your skin that are scaly, painful to the touch, and cannot go away, can be a sign of early skin cancer, called actinic keratoses or developing squamous cell carcinomas. They are Most common on bald scalps, ears, face, and backs of hands.

2- Fatigue

It's normal to feel tired now and then, but constant and overwhelming fatigue can be a sign of cancer that is stealing nutrients from the body to grow.

If you experience frequent fatigue that does not improve with rest, see your doctor.

3- Pain

Body pain can have a number of causes.

But any persistent pain warrants a visit to the doctor to rule out cancer.

Inform your doctor of any persistent pain.

Your annual physical examination is a good opportunity to assess whether anything has changed since your last visit.

4- Changes in the testicle

If you notice a lump or swelling in one or both testicles, see your doctor right away for an examination, says Felicia Sumner, MD, a family physician in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

Often, these changes can be painless but may be a sign of testicular cancer.

5- Persistent cough

"Often a cough is just a manifestation of a cold or virus," Sumner reported. "However, especially if you're a smoker, a persistent cough may be a sign of lung cancer."

"Any cough that persists for more than 2-4 weeks should be evaluated by a doctor. Plain x-rays are not always sufficient for evaluation. Men (and women) should request a CT scan if the result of the x-ray is negative and the cough persists." And a routine CT scan if they are smokers. Please remember, lung cancer does not only affect smokers."

6- Mouth changes

The mouth is a very difficult part of the body, as it heals exceptionally spontaneously in a matter of days.

Therefore, Obiuzur cautions that if you notice that a lesion in the mouth has been present for a week or more, you need to have a biopsy to rule out cancer.

If you have a lesion that does not go away, Obiuzur recommends visiting your dentist to learn the next steps, as a good doctor will conduct an oral examination before doing any dental work.

"And if he doesn't get an oral exam, find another doctor."

7- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing

Chronic indigestion is a sign of aging, but it can also indicate cancer.

“Stomach pain, constipation, nausea, feeling full quickly or difficulty swallowing are harmless symptoms, but they should not be ignored if they persist. Cancers of the stomach, colon and pancreas can be accompanied by these symptoms,” Obiuzor says.

8- Changes in bowel habits

“The most common signs and symptoms that men often overlook include pain during defecation, a change in bowel habits, blood and a feeling of fullness,” says Jack Jacob, MD, an oncologist and medical director of the Memorial Care Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. rectum and from any other changes in this area (the anus) and do not hesitate to examine it.”

9- Rectal bleeding

“Both men and women tend to ignore rectal bleeding,” says Jess B. Hutton, MD, a gastroenterologist in Portsmouth, Ohio. “They usually blame hemorrhoids, which they do most of the time, and let it go. However, unless they undergo a colonoscopy to make sure they are Just hemorrhoids, there is a possibility that colon or rectal cancer is causing the bleeding."

"Bright red or dark red blood in stool, sometimes it may look like ground coffee, is always a topic you should bring up to your doctor right away," says Sumner. "These could be signs of cancer anywhere in the digestive system."

10- Lose weight

“Unexplained weight loss is a symptom that men tend to ignore. This is the most common symptom of any cancer. Men tend to blame diet changes or medications, but this should not be ignored,” Hutton says.

On the other hand, Sumner stresses, "If your waistline is thinning without following a specific diet or going to the gym regularly, you should talk to your doctor."

11- blood in the urine

"In most cases, aside from shock, this is not normal," Sumner explains. "Blood in the urine, also known as hematuria, is sometimes a sign of a kidney infection or kidney stone, but it can also be an ominous sign of prostate, bladder, or bladder cancer." kidneys".

Follow your doctor's recommendations for routine prostate exams and blood tests.

If you notice blood in your urine, contact your doctor immediately.

12- A bump in the chest

Male breast cancer accounts for only 1% of all cancers, but it's still important to pay attention to symptoms.

“Symptoms include breast and/or armpit swelling, breast skin discoloration or ulceration, nipple bleeding, discharge or inversion, and skin dimples, or whether The tumor extends to the chest.

"If you have any of these conditions, see your doctor and have a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy if needed as soon as possible. Men with excess breast tissue should consider yearly breast cancer screening."

13- Back pain

“Back pain is usually the first complaint that is overlooked or not evaluated,” says Obiuzor. “This is not surprising, because back pain is an ambiguous symptom with many causes. The worst-case scenario for back pain is that it is a sign of cancer.”

This can include multiple myeloma or cancer of the lung, prostate or kidney.

14- Chronic headaches

Headaches are very common, and most types of headaches are not cancerous.

"Changes in the frequency, type or severity of headaches should prompt you to have a neurological evaluation," says Santosh Kesari, MD, a neuro-oncologist at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

15- Weakness

Persistent or new episodes of weakness, especially when accompanied by a headache, can be a sign that something serious is wrong, including brain cancer.

Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of tingling or weakness in your extremities.

16- Personality changes

We may become angrier with age, but a major personality change — including increasingly impulsive behavior, apathy or doing less than usual — could indicate a tumor in the brain's frontal lobe, says Kesari.

And if you notice these changes in yourself or a loved one, they need a medical evaluation as soon as possible.

17- Changes in vision

We would expect vision to deteriorate slightly with age, but changes such as blurred or double vision or a reduced field of vision could be a sign of a brain tumor.

Any changes in vision should be evaluated by a health care provider.

18- Difficulty urinating

"If the urine flow appears to be low, or if there is an urge to urinate but you cannot produce a flow, it may be a prostate malignancy," says Obiuzor.

An enlarged prostate gland due to a tumor can press on the urethra, slowing the flow of urine into drops.

"Ignoring this can be fatal. Prostate and genitourinary cancers can be easily diagnosed and treated if detected in their early stages," she says.

19- Skin changes

The author noted that any ulcer that does not heal is a cause for concern.

“Recurring or persistent pink or transparent spots or bumps that bleed and seem to heal, and then bleed again over months to years, can be a sign of basal cell carcinoma,” says Shainhouse. It sometimes grows for years before being noticed. It is most commonly found on the face and upper body."

20- Changes in the shape and size of moles

Shainhouse says that freckles or moles that are not round and asymmetric, or that have a rough border, change color or have grown, could be skin cancer.

Men usually get skin cancer on the upper body or back, while women get it on the back of the legs.

"Once a month or so, look over your whole body and check the moles for any new lesions and changes in shape, borders, size or color," she says.

Ask a friend, spouse, or hairdresser to examine your scalp, behind your ears, and the back of your neck, and report any changes to your doctor as soon as possible.