Early diagnosis dramatically improves cancer survival, yet many men avoid medical checks. An oncologist explains the simple self-checks, symptoms and annual health tests that can help detect problems before they become serious
According to a report from the BBC almost half of men feel pressure to avoid seeing the GP when they first fear they have symptoms. When it comes to cancer, Cancer Research says that early diagnosis can be as much as three times better for long-term survival, which means that men who delay medical checks could be reducing their life expectancy.
Roughly 95% of cancer diagnoses happen to people aged 40 and over, so it is an important time to start being vigilant about potential cancer markers or symptoms.
Dr Daniel Krell, Consultant Oncologist at HCA Healthcare UK’s Leaders in Oncology Care says that “men are especially likely to avoid medical checks” adding that this is typically for one, or a combination of three reasons.
A general fear for the GP, a sense that if they feel healthy they needn’t check for symptoms, or that those who feel they are unhealthy feel ashamed to get confirmation of their physical health not being where they’d like it to be. But it’s important not to be ignorant of potential symptoms.
How to keep an eye on prostate health
Your “urination habits tend to be the biggest indicator” Dr Krell says. Highlighting that more frequent, weaker urine flow, and finding it difficult to empty your bladder can all suggest your prostate is enlarged.
Waking often through the night with a need to urinate can also be a symptom (and if nothing else, this affects your sleep, which is also important for overall health). Prostate cancer is the most common in men over 50 (the average is one in eight men, but for Black men, it is one in four).
While we shy away from such things, clearly, it is important not to. NHS screenings for prostate cancer are free from the age of 45, so absolutely book these in when you can too.
What are symptoms of testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is relatively rare but it is the most common cancer in men under the age of 50. Testicular checks should be done weekly. While some people find the idea a little uncomfortable to read and speak about, doing a testicular check is very simple, just ensuring there aren’t any lumps or other changes – checking during a shower is convenient. “You’re looking for abnormalities in shape and size, or any lumps” Dr Krell says, adding that they tend to be painless.
Other common cancers to check for
Bowel and skin cancers are also common as we get older, and fairly easy to spot symptoms for these. When it comes to bowel health common symptoms that you should be looking out for include unexpected weight loss, blood in your stools, change in your bowels.
NHS screenings are free for bowel cancer from 50+. Skin cancers tend to be detected via changes to appearance “particualrly moles or spots” Dr Krell says. It is recommended to get moles mapped annually.
When to go to a doctor
“There’s a lot of social media buzz around really advanced screenings becoming more accessible, but to be honest, simple medical advice that people so often neglect to follow is much more accessible, and just as important in early stages,” explains Dr Krell.
His general advice is that if you’re under the age of 40, every other year is reasonable to have bloods done. If you’re over 40, aim to do them annually. “And then when you get to 50, definitely every single year,” he says. Of course, if your work offers annual health checks, use them.
What else can you do at home to check your health?
Cardiovascular risks like arrhythmia, blood pressure, and diabetes risks such as blood sugar levels can be assessed at home, and symptoms often don’t present until it is urgent so these are worth routinely checking.
But more generally, central obesity carries health risks, so keeping an eye on waist-to-height ratio is important and should be done as part of a lifestyle. Sleep, cutting back on smoking and being moderate with alcohol are also very important.
Of course, if anything does seem to be out of the ordinary or a concern, it is imperative to seek medical help. “Delays can be fatal, but even in smaller ways, we want to see people when concerns first arise because we can give them really, really good advice at that point, as well,” says Dr Krell.
“And it’s also going to take stress out of the question, and allow them to have clarity, or positive actions to follow.”
