Every two minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. King Charles’ recent cancer diagnosis – just 18 months into his reign – is a stark reminder that anyone can develop this disease, which can start anywhere in the body.
Although the palace has remained tight-lipped on the exact type of cancer, the news about King Charles’ diagnosis has made UK men take note.
Over a quarter of men say their concerns about cancer have drastically risen since the announcement, according to research by private medical group Pall Mall Medical. Meanwhile, Macmillan Cancer Support revealed that their information and support pages received more than 48,000 hits on the day the King’s news was announced.
Google searches for ‘prostate cancer’ and ‘prostate cancer symptoms’ also spiked on the day of King Charles’ diagnosis, despite the palace confirming he was definitely not suffering from prostate cancer. However, prior to this, it had been announced that the King was being treated for a benign enlarged prostate last month.
Figures from Cancer Research UK state that among men in the UK, there are around 193,000 new cancer cases every year, with significantly more men being diagnosed than women.
In 2021, in England, 134,802 people died from cancer, according to the UK parliament, yet 30 to 50% of all cancers are preventable, and if found early enough, they can often be treated.
With over half of men admitting that they wished they were more knowledgeable about the potential cancer signs to look out for, it makes sense to stay savvy on cancer symptoms and continue to open up the conversation around cancer.
Cancer Symptoms You Need to Know
Worried that your inability to pee or persistent cough could be a sign of cancer? These are the cancer symptoms you should be on the lookout for.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
The prostate, a small gland which sits near a man’s bladder has the role of producing a fluid that mixes with sperm from the testicles to make semen.
‘Prostate cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms in the early stages,’ says Rachel Rawson, lead cancer nurse at Perci Health.
However, London-based GP Dr Ann Nainan says that when prostate cancer symptoms do develop they include needing to pee a lot at night, a stop-start pee stream, difficulty in starting to pee and/or blood in urine or your blood in semen.
While it’s wise to look out for urinary symptoms, Rawson explains that they are much more likely to be caused by a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is where the prostate becomes slightly bigger than normal.
Rawson adds: ‘If prostate cancer has already spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic prostate cancer), it can cause symptoms such as back or bone pain that doesn’t go away with rest, tiredness and/or weight loss for no reason.
‘Whatever reason you have, don’t delay seeing your GP. The earlier it is picked up the higher the chance of successful treatment. You won’t be wasting your doctor’s time.’
Testicular Cancer Symptoms
There are around 2,400 new testicular cancer cases in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK.
‘Symptoms can include a lump or swelling in part of one testicle, a testicle that gets bigger, a heavy scrotum (the sack of skin that surrounds your testicles) and/or discomfort or pain in your testicle or scrotum,’ says Rawson.
You may also notice differences between your testicles, so be aware of any changes.
‘These symptoms can be similar to other conditions that affect the testicles, such as infections. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer but it is important to get them checked by a doctor,’ warns Rawson.
Bowel Cancer Symptoms
Often known as colon or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer starts, bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, however an impressive 54% of cases are preventable.
Rawson explains that possible bowel cancer symptoms can include: ‘Bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your poo; a change in your normal bowel habit, such as looser poo; pooing more often or constipation; a lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy, more commonly on the right side; and/or a feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you need to poo), even after opening your bowels.’
Dr Nainan adds that losing weight without trying could also be a possible bowel cancer symptom, as can belly pain.
Lung Cancer Symptoms
Despite incidences of lung cancer decreasing, it’s still the third most common cancer in the UK, so staying attuned to potential lung cancer symptoms could help to spot it early.
‘Lung cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in its early stages,’ says Rawson.
‘Many of the signs and symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions but finding lung cancer early can mean that it’s easier to treat. So if you notice any symptoms or changes get them checked out by your GP as soon as possible.’
Rawson adds: ‘The most common symptoms of lung cancer are having a new cough or a cough most of the time, getting out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem, coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it, having an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder and/or chest infections that keep coming back or a chest infection that doesn’t get better.’
Symptoms such as unexplained weight loss and fatigue, could also be a sign of lung cancer, according to Dr Nainan.
Skin Cancer Symptoms
There are two main types of skin cancer: non-melanoma skin cancer which includes rarer types of skin cancer, and the more commonly known, melanoma skin cancer. It’s ultraviolet light from the sun and sunbeds that are the main cause of melanoma skin cancer, however there are some people who may be more at risk than others, such as those with pale skin.
In UK males, melanoma skin cancer is the sixth most common cancer, with rates almost tripling since the 1990s, so knowing the skin cancer symptoms is vital. Typically, it’s moles and the changes surrounding them, that are the biggest indicator of potential melanoma.
‘Some melanomas develop from existing moles. The rest grow on what was previously normal skin,’ says Rawson.
‘See your doctor if you notice a new abnormal mole; a mole that seems to be growing or changing; or a change to a previously normal patch of skin.’
Dr Nainan adds that spots that bleed or don’t heal or change and become itchy may also be a skin cancer symptom.
Brain Cancer Symptoms
‘Brain tumours cause symptoms because they take up space inside the skull when they grow or because of their position,’ says Rawson.
‘The symptoms can develop gradually over some months or even years if the tumour is slow growing or quickly over days or weeks if the tumour is fast growing.’
Dr Nainan explains that the brain cancer symptoms to be aware of include your head hurting more often and more severely, especially in the morning or when straining; sudden shaky movements or seizures; feeling different, forgetting things, or acting weird; and/or feeling sick and throwing up for no reason.
Drowsiness and problems with your eyes can be potential signs too.
10 Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Across the board, there are certain cancer symptoms which should never be ignored. Visit your GP if you experience any of these; although there could be another explanation, it’s worth getting checked for peace of mind at least.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Feeling really tired all the time, even after resting.
- Regular pain without a cause, including tummy or back pain.
- Skin looking yellow, getting darker, or having sores that won’t heal.
- A change in bowel habits: peeing or pooping differently than usual.
- Having a hard time swallowing food.
- A cough, chest pain or breathlessness.
- Persistent bloating.
- A change in the appearance of moles.
- Unexplained lumps that won’t disappear.
Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency a Sign of Cancer?
Vitamin B12, found naturally in animal foods, is essential for making red cells and releasing energy from food. If you’re eating sources of vitamin B12 yet still struggling with a deficiency, then there may be a deeper-rooted issue.
Dr Nainan explains that having too little vitamin B12 might signal that something’s not right in your body, such as cancer, ‘but there are other more common causes’.
‘It’s not a sign of cancer but if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by pernicious anaemia, a condition where your immune system attacks healthy cells in your stomach, your risk of developing stomach cancer is increased,’ says Rawson.
Dr Nainan adds: ‘A drop in vitamin B12 can be a clue to doctors to look deeper for issues, as some cancers can make it hard for your body to absorb nutrients properly.
‘It’s important to check vitamin B12 levels if you’re feeling unusually tired or weak, as these can be early signs that your body is dealing with something serious, including cancer.’
Is Heel Pain a Sign of Cancer?
Heel pain can be frustrating, but while you might be tempted to ignore the ongoing pain, it’s best to get it checked out by your GP, just in case it’s a sign of something more serious.
Research published in the Oncology Letters journal has linked chronic plantar heel pain to lung cancer.
However, Dr Nainan makes clear that heel pain is usually not a sign of cancer, but if it doesn’t go away, it could be a sign of something serious and need more tests.
‘Cancer is one possible cause, but to reassure you, this isn’t common, and there are other potential causes.’
What are Cancer Screening Programmes?
Cancer screening programmes are special checks done by doctors to find cancer early, often before you feel sick. Finding cancer early enough can help to increase the chances of getting better, quicker.
In the UK, there are three cancer screening programmes. These test for bowel cancer in men and women and breast cancer and cervical cancer in women. You’ll receive an invite or test for screening and whether you choose to take part is your choice, however it can prevent cancer and/or detect early stages.
Dr Nainan explains: ‘These programmes focus on checking for cancers in parts of the body where they often happen, like the breast, colon and cervix, to help catch them at a stage when they’re more likely to be cured. In general these programmes are done via taking bloods, scans or swabs.
‘Each of these tests is designed to detect cancer early in people with no symptoms yet, making treatment more likely to be successful. These screenings’ recommendations can depend on factors like age, sex, family history, and personal health history.’
Dr Nainan adds: ‘A Colonoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy, or Stool Tests check for colon cancer. A colonoscopy looks at the entire colon, a sigmoidoscopy looks at just the lower part of the colon, and stool tests look for signs of cancer in a person’s poop.’
Is There a Screening Programme for Prostate Cancer?
Although there isn’t a prostate screening test in the UK, men over 50 can ask their doctor about the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test.
‘This is a blood test for men that measures the level of PSA in the blood, which can be higher in men who have prostate cancer,’ says Dr Nainan.
However, research by Pall Mall Medical has discovered that when it comes to routine prostate cancer screenings, a third of men aged over 55 admit to not being screened in over a year.
Lung cancer screening is also an option for some people. Dr Nainan adds: ‘A Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) is a type of CT scan used to screen for lung cancer in people who have a high risk, like heavy smokers or those who have quit in the past 15 years.’
How to Talk to Your Doctor, Nurse or GP Practice About Cancer Symptoms
Some of the cancer symptoms mentioned can be embarrassing to discuss with your GP, but opening up could be the difference between getting diagnosed or allowing your cancer to continually grow.
‘Your doctor is used to hearing about many different symptoms,’ says Rawson.
‘Don’t forget to mention all your symptoms. It can be very easy to put something down to ‘getting older’. It can really help to note down any symptoms or changes that you might have noticed as we often forget when we are talking to the doctor,’ recommends Rawson.
‘It also helps to make a note of any medication you are taking. Having a pen and paper handy can be useful especially if the doctor wants to organise for you to see a specialist or to have further tests.’
If your symptoms persist, Dr Nainan also adds that it’s wise to tell the doctor about your family’s health history too.
What to Do If Your Cancer Symptoms Persist after Visiting Your Doctor?
‘Always go back to your doctor. If you have recently taken part in a screening programme but you notice new symptoms, always get them checked out,’ warns Rawson.
Do Blood Tests Show Cancer?
‘Blood tests can’t say for sure if you have cancer usually, but they can show if something might be wrong, telling the doctor to look more closely and what investigations you need,’ says Dr Nainan.
Whether your blood tests indicate a problem, or you are experiencing one or more cancer symptoms, it’s best to rule out anything serious by booking an appointment straight away with your GP. Remember, there are several other potential reasons behind your symptoms, so don’t fear the worst outcome. However, for peace of mind, never hesitate to get checked.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
