| Views |
4834  |
|
See Your Doctor When Symptoms Occur, and Get Regular Checkups.
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 (for example, a
mass in the scrotum or testicle).
Other symptoms are not specific. For instance,
pain that affects many body parts could have dozens of explanations and may not
be cancer; however, that circumstance doesn't mean you can rule out cancer
without seeing a doctor.
The following slideshow of pictures explain 15 symptoms and possible clues to
finding cancer early. Unfortunately, many men ignore these symptoms with the
result of sometimes discovering a cancer that might have been more easily
treated if the cancer had been detected at an earlier date in its development.
No.1 - Breast Mass
If you're like most men, you've probably never considered the possibility of
having breast cancer. Although it's not common, it is possible. According to
Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer for the national office of
the American Cancer Society, "Any new mass in the breast area of a man needs to
be checked out by a physician."
In addition, the American Cancer Society identifies several other worrisome
signs involving the breast that men as well as women should take note of. They
include
skin dimpling or puckering
nipple retraction
redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
and nipple discharge.
When you consult your physician about any of these signs, expect the doctor to
take a careful history and do a physical exam. Then, depending on the findings,
the doctor may order a mammogram, a biopsy, or other tests.
No. 2 - Persistent Pain or Discomfort in Any Body Area
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.
Any pain that persists, according to the American Cancer Society, should be
checked out by your physician. The doctor can take a careful history, get more
details, and then decide whether further testing is necessary. If the cause of
the pain is not cancer, you will still benefit from the visit to the office
because the doctor can work with you to find out what's causing pain and help
you know what may be done to treat the cause.
No 3. - Changes in the Testicles or Scrotum
Testicular cancer occurs most often in men aged 20 to 39. The American Cancer
Society recommends that men get a testicular exam by a doctor as part of a
routine cancer-related checkup. Some doctors suggest a monthly self-exam. Any
change in the size of the testicles, such as growth or shrinkage, should be a
concern. In addition, swelling or a lump or a feeling of heaviness in the
scrotum should not be ignored. Some testicular cancers occur very quickly, so
early detection is especially crucial.
No. 4 - Changes in the Lymph Nodes (Swelling, Painful, Warm and/or Reddish
Color)
If you notice a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your
neck -- or anywhere else -- it could be a reason for concern, says Hannah
Linden, MD. "If you have a lymph node that gets progressively larger, and it's
been noticeable longer than a month, see a doctor," she says.
Your doctor will examine you and figure out any associated issues with a
detailed medical history that could explain the lymph node enlargement, such as
infection. If there is no infection, a doctor will typically order a biopsy and
blood tests.
No. 5 - Fever (High Fever of > 103 F or Chronic Fevers, Usually More Than One
Week)
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.
Most cancers will cause fever at some point. Often, fever occurs after the
cancer has spread from its original site and invaded another part of the body.
But it can also be caused by blood cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia,
according to the American Cancer Society. It's best not to ignore a fever that
can't be explained. Check with your doctor to find out what might be causing the
fever. The doctor can help distinguish between acute and chronic fever causes
and also help to determine if anything needs to be done for the patient
emergently.
No. 6 - Weight Loss Without Trying
Unexpected or weight loss without dieting is a concern as most people don't lose
weight easily. If a man loses more than 10% of his body weight in a short time
period such as a matter of weeks without actively trying to reduce weight, it's
time to see the doctor.
Your doctor will do a general physical, ask you questions about your diet and
exercise, and ask about other symptoms. Based on that information, the doctor
will decide what other tests are needed. Unplanned rapid weight loss should
never be ignored, even in men (and women) who are overweight.
No. 7 - Gnawing Abdominal Pain and Depression
"Any guy who's got a pain in the abdomen and is feeling depressed needs a
checkup,” says Lichtenfeld. Although these symptoms may be due to non-cancerous
causes, experts have found a link between depression and pancreatic cancer.
Other symptoms that can occur with the abdominal pain and depression include
jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the white area of the eyes) or a change in
the stool color, often to a gray color.
Expect your doctor to do a careful physical exam and take a history. The doctor
may then order tests such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and, possibly, other
scans and tests.
No. 8 - Fatigue (Physical or Mental)
Fatigue (physical or mental) is another vague symptom that could point to cancer
in men, but a host of other problems could cause it as well. Like fever, fatigue
can occur after the cancer has developed or spread. However, fatigue may also
happen early in cancers such as leukemia or with some colon or stomach cancers,
according to the American Cancer Society.
If you often feel extremely tired and it doesn't get better with rest, check
with your doctor. The doctor will evaluate the symptom of fatigue along with any
other symptoms in order to determine the underlying cause. Treatment depends on
the underlying cause of the fatigue.
No. 9 - Persistent Cough (Especially Lasting More Than About Three Weeks)
Coughs are expected, of course, with colds, the flu, and allergies. They are
also sometimes a side effect of a medication. But a very prolonged cough --
defined as lasting more than three or four weeks -- should not be ignored, says
Ranit Mishori, MD, Assistant Professor at Georgetown University School of
Medicine in Washington, D.C. That kind of cough warrants a visit to the doctor.
It could be a symptom of cancer, or it could indicate some other problem such as
chronic bronchitis or acid reflux.
Your doctor will take a careful history, examine your throat, check how your
lungs are functioning, and, especially if you are a smoker, perhaps order
X-rays. Once the underlying reason for the coughing is identified, the doctor
will work with you to determine a treatment plan
No. 10 - Difficulty Swallowing (Food, Liquids, or Both)
Some men may report trouble swallowing (dysphagia) but then learn to live with
it, Dr. Lichtenfeld says. "Over time, they change their diet to a more liquid
diet. They start to drink more soup." But swallowing difficulties, he says,
could be a sign of a gastrointestinal cancer, such as cancer of the esophagus.
Let your doctor know if you are having trouble swallowing. Your doctor will take
a careful history and possibly order a chest X-ray. The doctor may also send you
to a specialist (gastroenterologist) for an upper endoscopy to examine your
esophagus. Other tests such as barium swallow tests; CT or MRI of the esophagus
may also be done.
No. 11 - Changes in the Skin (Color Changes, Thickness Changes, Easy Bleeding)
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, an oncologist at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
She also says that suddenly developing bleeding on your skin or excessive
scaling are reasons to check with your doctor. It's difficult to say how long is
too long to observe skin changes, but most experts say not to wait longer than
several weeks.
To find out what's causing the skin changes, your doctor will take a careful
history and perform a careful physical exam. The doctor may also order a skin
biopsy to rule out cancer.
No. 12 - Blood Where It Shouldn't Be (Blood in Sputum, Stool or Urine)
"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."
Dr. Mishori says it's a mistake to assume blood in the stool is simply from a
hemorrhoid. "It could be colon cancer," he says.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. If there is blood in the
stool, the doctor may also order tests such as a colonoscopy, which is an
examination of the colon using a long flexible tube with a camera on one end.
The purpose of a colonoscopy is to identify any signs of cancer or precancer or
to identify what else might be causing the bleeding. If there is blood in the
urine, other tests such as bladder cystoscopy (tube used to examine urinary
tissue) and tissue biopsy may be done. Blood in the sputum may occur from many
non-cancerous causes; however, several types of cancers (for example, lung,
esophageal, oral) may also produce bloody sputum. Your doctor can help diagnose
the underlying cause of bloody sputum with tests and in consultation with
specialists.
No. 13 - Mouth Changes (Chronic Oral Lesions That Do Not Heal)
If you smoke or chew tobacco, you need to be especially alert for any white
patches inside your mouth or white spots on your tongue. Those changes may
indicate leukoplakia, a precancerous area that can occur with ongoing
irritation. The condition can progress to oral cancer.
You should report the changes to your doctor or dentist. The dentist or doctor
will take a careful history, examine the changes, and then decide what other
tests, such as a tissue biopsy, might be needed.
No. 14 - Urinary Problems (Frequent Urge to Urinate, Slow Urine Stream,
Incomplete Feeling of Emptying the Bladder)
As men age, urinary problems become more frequent, such as the urge to urinate
more often, a sense of urgency, and a feeling of not completely emptying the
bladder. Most men will develop these problems as they get older. However, if you
notice any of these symptoms and they concern you because they begin to
interfere with normal activities, you should seek medical attention, especially
if symptoms become worse.
Your doctor will do a digital rectal exam, which will tell him whether the
prostate gland is enlarged. The gland often enlarges as a man ages. It's
typically caused by a noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia
or BPH. Your doctor may also order a blood test to check the level of
prostate-specific antigen or PSA. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate
gland, and the test is used to help determine the possibility of prostate
cancer. If the doctor notices abnormalities in the prostate or if the PSA is
higher than it should be, your doctor may refer you to an urologist and may
suggest a biopsy of the prostate gland be done.
No. 15 - Indigestion (Frequent or Almost Constant Discomfort)
A lot of guys, especially as they get older, think "heart attack" when they get
bad indigestion, even if they've just eaten and drunk their way through a
marathon Super Bowl viewing. But persistent indigestion could point to cancer of
the esophagus, throat, or stomach and should be reported to your doctor.
Conversely, if the pain is intense and causes a person to "grip their chest,"
most doctors consider this as a sign of a cardiac event and consider this
situation to be a medical emergency.
Your doctor will take a careful history and ask questions about the indigestion
episodes. Based on the history and your answers to the questions, the doctor
will decide what tests are needed and if you should be referred to a
cardiologist, gastroenterologist, or an ENT specialist.
Users' Comments (0) 
|
|
|
