Au Royaume-Uni, un homme reçoit un diagnostic de cancer toutes les trois minutes, et le nombre de cas ne cesse d’augmenter, notamment chez les hommes. Environ 193 000 hommes sont diagnostiqués chaque année, contre 177 000 femmes. Les scientifiques affirment que les hommes présentent un risque accru de cancer en raison de facteurs de mode de vie. Toutefois, une hausse de 7 % des diagnostics en 2022, principalement due aux cancers de la prostate, souligne l’importance du dépistage précoce. La campagne Movember commence aujourd’hui pour sensibiliser aux problèmes de santé masculine, y compris le cancer.
In the UK, a man is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes, with the number of cases on the rise, particularly among men, according to the NHS.
Each year, approximately 193,000 men receive a cancer diagnosis, compared to 177,000 women.
For many years, the medical community has recognized that men are at a higher risk of developing cancer than women.
Men face a 50% chance of being diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, whereas women have a 33% chance.
Initially, scientists believed that lifestyle factors were the primary reason for this increased risk.
However, even as more women began smoking, drinking, and entering the workforce, cancer incidence rates remained constant.
Recent statistics indicate a seven percent rise in overall cancer diagnoses among men in 2022, increasing from 167,917 to 180,877.
This surge is largely attributed to prostate cancer cases, which jumped by over 25% to 54,732.
Fortunately, early detection significantly enhances the chances of successful treatment and recovery. If you notice sudden unexplained weight loss or blood in your stool, consult your doctor to rule out serious health issues.
Transforming Men’s Health
Today, November 1, marks the launch of Movember, a campaign aimed at raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues.
Since 2003, the Movember initiative has concentrated on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
“A cancer diagnosis is always concerning,” stated Professor Lawrence Young from the University of Warwick. “The encouraging news is that with advances in diagnostic tests and treatments, cancer survival rates have doubled in the UK over the past 50 years,” he added. “Early detection of cancer offers the best prospect for effective treatment and recovery.”
Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a general practitioner and clinical consultant, noted: “It’s disheartening to learn of anyone’s cancer diagnosis, especially since most cancers are more prevalent as people age.”
Cancer Research UK identifies the five most common cancers in men as prostate, lung, bowel, melanoma skin cancer, and head and neck cancers.
Recognizing early symptoms can facilitate timely treatment, improving remission prospects.
Professor Lawrence outlines the following early warning signs of cancer that men should watch for:
1. Blood in Urine
Don’t overlook blood in your urine; it is often a key symptom of bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer ranks among the most prevalent cancers in the UK, affecting over 20,500 individuals annually.
This condition is primarily diagnosed in older adults, with the majority of new cases occurring in those aged 60 and older.
Due to vague symptoms, around 25% of cases are diagnosed late.
This aggressive disease results in the deaths of approximately 50% of those diagnosed, according to Action Bladder Cancer UK.
2. Blood in Stool
Seeing blood in your stool or experiencing bleeding during bowel movements can be early indicators of colon, rectal, or bowel cancer.
This symptom is especially concerning if it persists.
Bowel cancer is now the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in the UK, with around 43,000 new cases each year, and 268,000 people currently living with the disease.
It ranks as the second deadliest cancer in the UK, leading to approximately 16,500 fatalities yearly.
3. Changes in Bowel Habits
While occasional bowel irregularities are normal, frequent diarrhea or constipation may signal bowel or rectal cancer.
4. Abdominal Pain and Indigestion
It’s common to experience occasional stomach aches, especially after consuming heavy or fried foods.
However, persistent pain in your upper abdomen accompanied by indigestion may suggest stomach cancer.
This condition affects around 7,300 individuals in the UK each year, causing about 5,000 deaths.
Men are twice as likely as women to develop stomach cancer.
5. Unexplained Weight Loss
As people age, maintaining a healthy weight can become challenging, and weight loss may seem beneficial.
However, sudden and unexplained weight loss can indicate serious health issues, including various forms of cancer.
6. Back Pain
Back pain is a widespread source of disability