The 8 red flag signs of cancer that all men should never ignore

11 February 2024 , 09:35

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Someone in the UK is told they have cancer every two minutes (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Someone in the UK is told they have cancer, every two minutes and for men, there are a number of tell-tale signs doctors tell you to be aware of.

A recent poll showed around half of us Brits put off contacting a GP for up to six months after noticing red-flag cancer symptoms. Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK’s head of health and patient involvement, said: “You might think of key symptoms like coughing up blood or unexplained bleeding as hard to ignore, but the research shows that many do".

And with all serious health issues, catching it early is critical. Professor Lawrence Young from the University of Warwick said. "A cancer diagnosis is always worrying Each year more than a third of all cancer cases in the UK are diagnosed in people aged 75 and over. The good news is that with improved diagnostic tests and treatments, cancer survival has doubled over the last 50 years in the UK."

All men over the age of 50 are currently entitled to a free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, but have to make an appointment with their GP and request the test, so the trial could be a game-changer for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Here are some red flags you can't ignore.

Blood in your urine

Problems that are toilet related are so often not discussed out of embarrassment. But it’s ­always best to get these conditions checked so you can rule things out and relax, or be given the correct treatment.

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Around 20,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year - equivalent to 56 every day - making it one of the 10 most common cancers. According to the NHS, finding blood in your urine is a major sign that you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. The warning sign is usually painless and can be identified when you check the toilet bowl after you wee.

Bowel habits changing

According to NHS, symptoms of bowel cancer include needing to poo more or less frequently than normal, as well as noticing blood in your poo which "may look red or black". You should also make note of your weight, and if you notice you have lost weight, it can also signify changes in the bowel. The NHS also urge people to "not be embarrassed" about a change in toilet habits.

Stomach pain and indigestion

This could be caused by food poisoning or a stomach bug, but if you experience problems for 4-6 weeks or more, then tell your doctor. The NHS describes said: “Pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, which may feel worse when you're eating or lying down and better when you lean forward.” Persistent loss of appetite, weight loss, upper abdominal pain or recurrent heartburn need urgent checking.

Blood in your faeces

Checking the loo roll could save your life (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The most common cause of blood in your poo is haemorrhoids, but it could also be a sign of cancer. So make sure you check when you go as it could save your life. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosis, claiming around 16,800 lives every year in the UK - making symptom awareness a priority.

Weight loss

Most, if not all, of us experience small changes in weight on a daily basis, and it's absolutely nothing to be concerned about. But if you notice you look thinner and haven't been trying to lose any weight, then it's sensible to flag this with your doctor.

Unusual weight loss was the second highest risk ­factor for bowel, lung, pancreatic and kidney cancers, revealed researchers from the University of Oxford.

Persistent cough

Coughs usually go away on their own and could also linked to heartburn and allergies. If it persists more than three weeks it can mean a small chance of lung cancer. Coughs are mostly common and harmless, but if it continues for more than three weeks or gets worse, see your GP.

Unusual lumps

Make sure you look out for unusual lump or swelling on the body. The best way to check for lumps in the breasts or testicles is to feel them in the shower. The testicles should feel smooth, without any lumps or bumps, and firm but not hard.

Pain in your back

Many Brits experience back pain on a regular basis, and while cases have risen since more people work from home, it could signal an underlying health issue.. According to the NHS, pain in your lower back, pelvis or lower tummy could be a symptom of the disease - which causes around 850 deaths in the UK every year.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs