Paying attention to some of these symptoms can prevent most types of cancer that affect men like the King of England
Last February, Buckingham Palace released a statement that King Charles III of England had been diagnosed with cancer and would begin treatment for the disease. Since then, although the type of the king’s cancer has not been disclosed, a large global debate has begun about the disease and the taboos associated with the topic.
In fact, many studies have reported that men tend to develop more cases of cancer than women. In addition to the genetic component, behavioral factors may also be involved in this context.
Oncologists have long warned of the importance of paying attention to the signals the body gives when something is not right. After all, most types of cancer are much easier to treat if caught early. Sudden pain, spotting, changes in bowel habits, and other symptoms may alert you to seeking medical attention.
“You need to be aware of physical changes that are often subtle, but persistent. If a person has never had pain when urinating, for example, and suddenly starts having them, it may be a sign that they need to seek medical help,” he says Fernanda Magrini Sesca, specialist in clinical medicine and professor of Medicine and Surgery at the Positivo University (UP), which deals with the prevention, screening and diagnosis of tumors.
But what are the main signs that cancer may be developing? No matter how silent the disease may be, some symptoms should never be ignored. And the prognosis is more optimistic the earlier the cancer is detected. An early diagnosis is, in most cases, essential for treatment.
Blood in the urine
“The presence of blood in the urine is a symptom that should never be ignored, because it could indicate, for example, bladder or prostate cancer,” says Fernanda.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in Brazil, according to data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca). There are more than 71 thousand cases per year, with more than 16 thousand deaths.
Changes in bowel habits
Although relatively common, events such as a very sluggish bowel or diarrhea can indicate both bowel and rectal cancer.
“What differentiates a symptom from a common event is the frequency with which it occurs and also a sudden change in the functioning of the intestine,” explains the specialist.
Sudden weight loss
Losing weight due to a diet or a combination of diet and exercise is normal, but if this weight loss is very sudden or has no explanation, it is important to be aware of it. This is because almost all types of cancer cause this type of change in the scale.
Blood in the stool
Just like blood in your urine, blood in your stool also indicates that something is not right.
“It may not be cancer, but it is always advisable to see a doctor to understand what is happening. Bloody stools are not normal,” she says.
Moles and lumps
As with the breast, also in the case of women, men must pay attention to the appearance of lumps on the body, for example on the testicles.
According to Inca, worldwide, testicular cancer represents 1% of male cancers. In turn, moles that suddenly appear, grow, or change size may indicate skin cancer.
Cough
“It’s not about coughing for a cold or sore throat, obviously. But a persistent cough is one of the symptoms of lung cancer. Risk factors are smoking and passive exposure to tobacco smoke, but even those who have never smoked can develop lung cancer,” she underlines.
This type of cancer is the third most common among Brazilian men, according to Inca.
Backache
Less common, back pain caused by cancer typically appears when the disease has spread throughout the body. Prostate cancer, for example, has a high chance of spreading to the bones if not treated early. This can cause pain in the back, lower back, legs and hips.
Indigestion and stomach pain
Frequent pain in the upper abdomen or persistent indigestion could be signs of stomach cancer, the fourth most common type among men. In fact, men are twice as likely to develop stomach cancer than women.
Watch the video with Dr. Fernanda Magrini Sesca.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
