Men and cancer: 6 symptoms you should never ignore

Many men prefer to worry in silence rather than bother their doctor, but some symptoms should never be ignored. The following might be nothing to worry about, but they can also be a sign of cancer. See your GP if you notice any of the following:

Bad indigestion
You might know that bad indegestion can be confused with a heart attack - but did you know it can also be a sign of cancer of the throat, esophagus, or stomach? If you've been taking indegestion tablets for weeks, or find the problem is getting worse, see your GP.

Persistent need to urinate
Most men find that they need to urinate more frequently as they get older, particularly at night, and may find they need to go with greater urgency. If you notice a significant change in urination over a few weeks or months, see your GP as you may have an enlarged prostate – which may be benign or caused by cancer.

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A change to the testicles
Testicular cancer tends to strike men in their thirties and forties – and some testicular cancers can develop surprisingly quickly. You should examine your testicles regularly, checking for changes such as growth or shrinkage. If you feel a swollen or hard lump or experience a sensation of heaviness in the scrotum, see your GP straight away.

Blood where it shouldn't be
If you see blood where it shouldn't be, see your doctor. Spitting or coughing up blood, or seeing blood in your stools or urine should never be ignored. Blood in the stools might be caused by hemorrhoids – or it could be colon cancer.

Mysterious weight loss
Have you lost weight without changing your diet or the amount of exercise you've been doing? Losing more than 10% of your body weight within three to six months can be a sign of something serious - make an appointment to see your GP for a check-up.

A cough that won't go away
If you've had a persistent cough for three weeks or more, or your cough gets worse, it's worth getting checked out, especially if you're a smoker. A severe or prolonged cough may be a sign of chronic bronchitis or it could be lung cancer.

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Men can also get breast cancer, so don't ignore a lump...