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The most common malignancies among men are prostate, lung and colorectal cancer. When detected early, many of these cancers are treatable. The problem, however, is that cancer symptoms are often vague and subtle. What’s more, prostate cancer typically causes no noticeable symptoms at all. For these reasons, it is vital for all men to pay close attention to their body and discuss any unusual changes with a physician right away.

Signs to watch for

Some common cancer symptoms in men include:

  • A new lump – A palpable mass or lump in a testicle, breast, lymph node or other soft tissue, such as a tendon or ligament, should be checked out by a physician, especially if it suddenly appeared or quickly grew in size.
  • Testicle changes– In addition to stimulating the growth of a new lump, testicular cancer can cause the testicles to become swollen, heavier or larger.
  • Urinary changes – Signs of prostate and bladder cancer include urinary urgency, urinary frequency, a weak stream, painful urination and bloody urine.
  • Difficulty swallowing or chronic indigestion – A prolonged burning sensation in the throat or chest could be a sign of throat, esophageal or stomach cancer.
  • A nagging cough or vocal hoarseness – In general, a cough that lingers longer than two weeks should be checked out by a physician. Other signs of lung cancer include shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness and bloody sputum.
  • Mouth changes – White patches inside the mouth could be precancerous lesions. Additionally, mouth sores, tenderness, numbness and bleeding are signs of oral cancer.
  • Unexplained weight loss or fatigue – A sudden loss of 10 or more pounds for no apparent reason or a persistent feeling of overwhelming exhaustion could be a sign that the body is expending extra energy while working hard to fight off cancer.
  • Persistent pain – Lingering pain, regardless of its location, is often the first sign that something is not quite right.

Remember, having one or more of these symptoms does not conclusively indicate cancer. Still, it’s best to be sure by having them promptly evaluated by a physician.

If you would like to discuss your symptoms with a specialist at Moffitt Cancer Center, you can request an appointment by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing our new patient registration form.