We get it. Most men do not like going to the doctor. The problem is that diseases like cancer happen, whether it’s diagnosed or not. This is why 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.
But we are glad to see more men are taking cancer seriously. With the campaign #NoShaveNovember. Men are not shaving during the month of November to raise money for cancer. The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness through their hair, which many cancer patients lose, by letting it grow wild and free. Men are encouraged to donate the money they typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle.
Read: Are You At Risk For Lung Cancer?
Being more alert to certain specific, sometimes subtle, cancer symptoms. Here are the Top 10 below:
Symptom 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. “Any new mass in the breast area of a man needs to be checked out by a physician,” Lichtenfeld says.
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
• Nipple discharge
When you consult your physician about any of these signs, expect them 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.
Symptom 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.
Read: 3 Types Of Colon Cancer Screening Tests
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, and if so what kind. If it’s not cancer, you will still benefit from the visit to the office. That’s because the doctor can work with you to find out what’s causing the pain and help you know what to do about it.