Lung Metastases Imaging: Practice Essentials, Radiography, Computed Tomography
The 9 Early Warning Signs Of Cancer No Man Should Ever Ignore – From Back Pain To Peeing In The Night
A MAN is told he has cancer every three minutes in the UK.
And cases are increasing, according to the NHS - especially among male folk.
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All the early signs of cancer men need to be aware ofIn the UK, around 193,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year, compared to 177,000 women.
For decades doctors have known that men are more likely to develop cancer than women.
Men have a one in two chance of being diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes; for women, the chance is one in three.
Scientists once believed that the increased risk was tied to lifestyle differences.
But even as more women started smoking, drinking and joining the workforce, the incidence of cancer remained consistent.
New figures show that among men there was a seven percent increase in overall cancer diagnoses in 2022, from 167,917 to 180,877.
This, NHS officials say, was mainly due to the increase in prostate cancers which rose by more than a quarter to 54,732.
But there is hope, as the earlier the signs are directed, the more likely the cancer can be treated and cured.
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Never squat on loos & learn the 'knack' - train your bladder to be patientIf you have suddenly noticed unexplained weight loss or blood on your stool, see the doctor to get the all-clear to ensure these symptoms are not a sign of something more sinister.
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"A cancer diagnosis is always worrying," Professor Lawrence Young from the University of Warwick said.
"The good news is that with improved diagnostic tests and treatments, cancer survival has doubled over the last 50 years in the UK," the expert added.
"Diagnosing cancer early provides the best chance of successful treatment and cure."
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant for www.Patient.Info, added: "It is always sad to hear that anyone has been diagnosed with cancer, and most cancers become more common with age.
According to Cancer Research UK, the five most common cancers in men include prostate, lung, bowel, melanoma skin cancer, and head and neck.
Knowing early symptoms can help you get treatment sooner to better your chances of remission.
According to Professor Lawerence, early-warning cancer symptoms in men can include the following.
1. Blood in urine4
Blood in your pee can be a sign of bladder cancerCredit: Getty - ContributorIf you have blood in your urine, you shouldn't ignore it.
This is a typical symptom of bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with over 20,500 Brits diagnosed each year.
The deadly condition is more common in older adults, with most new cases diagnosed in people aged 60 and above.
Because the symptoms can be quite vague, around a quarter of all cases are diagnosed late.
The cruel disease kills around half of all those who have it, according to the charity Action Bladder Cancer UK.
2. Blood in pooBlood on your poo or bleeding while sitting on the loo can be an early sign of colon, rectum or bowel cancer.
This is especially concerning if the bleeding persists.
Bowel cancer is now the third most common cancer in the UK.
Around 43,000 Brits are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, with 268,000 living with the disease today.
It is the UK's second deadliest cancer, claiming 16,500 lives each year.
3. Change in bowel habitsThe occasional bowel problem is normal and is nothing to worry about.
However, frequent bouts of diarrhoea and constipation may also indicate either bowel or rectal cancer.
4. Pain in your tummy and indigestionIt's normal to have tummy aches from time to time. This is especially true if you've indulged in fried fatty foods.
However, experiencing tummy pain at the top of your stomach accompanied by lots of ingestion could indicate stomach cancer.
The disease affects about 7,300 people each year in the UK, and it leads to around 5,000 deaths.
Men are twice as likely as women to develop stomach cancer.
5. Unexplained weight lossMaintaining a healthy weight as you age becomes more difficult, so you might consider weight loss a positive thing.
But sudden and unexplained weight loss can indicate a serious health problem, including almost any type of cancer.
6. Pain in your back4
An achy back won't show as a symptom until the cancer has spread to other parts of the bodyBack pain is a common cause of disability, but very few men know it may be a symptom of cancer.
Some cancer symptoms, including an achy back, may not show until it has spread to other parts of your body, such as the bones of your spine.
For example, prostate cancer is especially prone to spread to the bones and may cause these symptoms within your hip bones and lower back.
7. Unusual lumpsUnusual lumps cropping up anywhere on the body cause concern.
Men should look for unusual growths in the testicles, as this could be a sign of testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer is diagnosed around 2,300 times every year in the UK and is the 17th most common cancer in the country.
It affects younger men, but experts do not know exactly what causes it.
8. A persistent cough4
A persistent cough can indeed be a sign of cancer, especially if it becomes progressively worseCredit: GettyIt's quite normal to cough now and again, especially in the winter when many respiratory viruses are floating about.
However, a persistent cough can be a sign of lung cancer.
Lung cancer accounts for around 13 per cent of all new cases of the disease each year, and each day, around 130 people are told they have the illness.
It is the UK's biggest killer, with more than 35,000 losing their lives every year.
9. Peeing at nightBeing woken up at night by the need to wee is a pretty common experience as men get older.
But it doesn't necessarily make it 'normal'.
It might be down to a hormonal imbalance, or it could be a sign of prostate cancer.
The disease - which affects one in eight men, according to Prostate Cancer UK - might not cause any noticeable symptoms at first because of the way the cancer grows.
But signs can include:
If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. But it's a good idea to get them checked out by a GP
How to reduce your risk of cancer
MAKING some simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer.
Not all cancers can be prevented, but you can do things to reduce your risk.
This includes:
Not smoking
Not smoking is the best thing you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. Harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke affect the entire body, not just our lungs.
If you smoke, the best thing you can do for your health is quit.
Keep a healthy weight
Being a healthy weight has many health benefits, including reducing cancer risk.
But the world around us can make this difficult, which is why the government must also help.
Have a healthy, balanced diet
Having healthy food and drink can reduce your risk of cancer.
Aim to have plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain foods high in fibre and healthy proteins.
Cut down on processed and red meat, alcohol and high-calorie foods and drinks.
Enjoy the sun safely
Being safe in the sun reduces the risk of skin cancer. Too much UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds damages our skin cells.
When the sun is strong, take extra care to protect your skin- spend time in the shade, cover up with clothing, and use sunscreen.
Cut back on alcohol
Cutting back on alcohol reduces your risk of seven types of cancer.
It doesn't matter what type it is - all alcohol can cause damage. Whatever your drinking habits, drinking less alcohol will improve your health.
Source: Cancer Research UK
Why Travel Guru Rick Steves Say His Prostate Cancer Is A 'Thrilling' Journey (Exclusive)
Rick Steves makes a point of avoiding easy journeys — "La-La Land travel" is what he calls it when everything is perfectly planned, perfectly comfortable...And perfectly bland.
"I like bumps," the PBS travel guru explains on a Zoom call from his Edmonds, Wash., home for a story in this week's issue of PEOPLE. "I like surprises. I don't want everything to be figured out in advance. Travel isn't supposed to be smooth. It's supposed to be transformational."
This summer, between trips filming the 13th season of his series Rick Steves' Europe, Steves, 69, embarked on his most surprising — and most personal — journey yet when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. "I look at things with a traveler's mindset, with curiosity, joy and positivity, and this was something totally new," says Steves, who underwent surgery on Oct. 4. "I've never spent a night in the hospital before and all of a sudden, I'm confronted with an existential challenge. It was kind of thrilling and exhilarating."
For more than four decades, Steves has been encouraging fellow travelers with his brand of good-hearted optimism to embrace roads less traveled through his guide books, a long-running PBS series and his travel company, which brings 30,000 people each year on tours to Europe. "Travel carbonates your life," he says. "It broadens your perspective."
Rick Steves at the Parthenon in Greece in 2021.Courtesy Rick Steves
It's a lesson Steves first learned as a teen. The oldest of three children raised by parents Richard Steves Sr., known as Dick, and June, who owned a piano import business in Edmonds, Steves first traveled abroad with his family at the age of 14.
"One day I came home from school and my dad said, 'We're going to Europe to see the piano factories,'" Steves recalls. "And I thought, 'Boy that's a stupid idea.'"
But once there, it opened his eyes: "There was different candy, different pop, you could gamble in the hotel lobby, and I distinctly remember statuesque women with hairy armpits. It was a wonderland for a 14-year-old twerp."
And then he had what he calls an "eureka" moment while sitting in a park in Norway. "My parents were sacrificing hugely to take their unappreciative son to Europe. They didn't have a lot of money, but they wanted to expose me to that," he says. "And I looked out in that park, which was speckledwith other parents loving their children as much as my parents loved me. And it hit me, 'Whoa, this world is home to equally lovable children of God.' And I thought, 'This world is an amazing place.'"
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That sense of wonder and connection stuck with him, and a few years later, he vowed to return to Europe every year for the rest of his life. Except for two years during COVID, he's kept that vow.
He began his career as a piano teacher, taking summers off to travel and jotting notes in journals along the way. Then in 1978, at age 23, he took an epic journey on the "Hippie Trail" across Turkey, India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Nepal. (An upcoming book about his adventure, On The Hippie Trail, based on his journals at the time, is available for pre-order now.) Upon his return, he quit teaching and began giving travel lectures and advice. In 1980, he self-published his first guidebook, and in 2000, he launched his PBS series.
Rick Steves on the "Hippie Trail" in Afghanistan in 1978.Courtesy Rick Steves
He's since settled into his image as one of the"lovable nerds on public television," he jokes. "Like Mr. Rogers, Bob Ross and the Muppets." He's also written 110 books and built a travel empire with 100 employees who work on the show, tours and his weekly radio program, which began in 2005 and airs on about 500 stations.
But in August, all of that was put on pause. On his doctor's urging, Steves had taken a prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA) for the first time ever. "That probably saved my life," he says. "Now I'm a crusader for people to get tested." He'd been showing symptoms, like frequent urination, but didn't think much of it. His doctor told him his PSA number was "through the roof."
Rick StevesI look at things with a traveler's mindset—with curiosity, joy and positivity
— Rick Steves
Learning he had cancer was a shock. "When you've found your niche and you love what you do, it's like oxygen. You can't imagine living without it," says Steves, who spends more than 100 days traveling each year filming and researching. "But when you get that news, you realize work is not as primary. I've got to be healthy. I've got loved ones I want to be with."
Those include his children from his previous marriage, Andy, 37, also a travel writer, and Jackie, 34, a teacher, and his girlfriend of five years, Shelley Bryan Wee, a Lutheran bishop. Steves, who is active in the Lutheran Church himself, says Wee, a breast cancer survivor, has been by his side throughout. "She's an inspiration and is wise and comforting."
Rick Steves and girlfriend Shelley Bryan Wee in the Swiss Alps in 2022.Courtesy Rick Steves
Because of his high PSA numbers, Steves opted to have his prostate removed. The surgery was successful, he says, and doctors don't think the cancer has spread, but he's still coping with after-effects, including incontinence. "I didn't know what the word was and now it's a big part of my life," he says with a laugh.
He is determined to be open about his journey, even the potentially embarrassing parts. "When I was a teenager, my mother had depression and it was a secret in the family," he says. "That bothered me. I don't like needless secrets. We need each other. We need to share. We need support. We need to learn from each other's experiences."
The outpouring of good wishes he's received from fans and friends since his diagnosis has "filled my sails with a loving wind," he says. "It's good medicine."
Later this month, Steves is expecting lab results to learn if he is cancer free. In the meantime, he's back to the work, and people, he loves.
"I'm on the road to recovery and it's a beautiful feeling," he says. "You can't control where the road takes you in life. Sometimes there's a bend and you got to take it. You can be positive or negative about it. I'm very positive about my prognosis."
Prostate Cancer: The Facts• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. It's the second leading cause of cancer death for men, behind lung cancer, but it's usually slow-growing and most who are diagnosed with the disease won't die of it.
• Symptoms can include: frequent need to urinate or a loss of bladder control; burning when peeing; blood in semen or urine; and lower back pain.
• A prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test can screen for the disease. Men between the ages of 50 and 69 should discuss having a screening with their doctor. Men who are Black or who have a family history of the disease should start the conversation earlier because their risk is higher.
For more on Rick Steves, pick up a copy of PEOPLE magazine, available on newsstands.
This Common Lawn Care Staple May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk — After Company Was Ordered To Pay $2.25 Billion
More than a dozen chemicals used in popular weed killers like Roundup could be raising the risk of prostate cancer, shocking new research has revealed.
In a report published in the journal Cancer, researchers analyzed 300 pesticides and found that 22 were directly linked to the development of prostate cancer, and four were shown to increase the probability of death.
The study comes after Bayer AG was ordered to pay $2.25 billion in January after a Pennsylvania jury unanimously ruled that its Roundup weed killer gave a man cancer.
Four of the 22 pesticides, were linked to an increased likelihood of death by prostate cancer. Pixavril – stock.Adobe.ComIn the new study, researchers assessed data related to the annual usage of pesticides between 1997 and 2001 as well as between 2003 and 2006. Taking into account the slow-growing disposition of prostate cancer, they then compared those figures against diagnoses made between 2011 and 2015 and between 2016 and 2020, respectively.
The team said that 19 of the 22 pesticides linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer have not previously been associated with the disease.
Four of the 22 pesticides — trifluralin, cloransulam-methyl, thiamethoxam and diflufenzopyr — were linked to an increased likelihood of death by prostate cancer.
Dr. Simon John Christoph Soerensen, study lead author and prostate cancer expert at Stanford University, noted that his team's observational research cannot prove causality. However, he is hopeful that the results could "potentially explain" some of the "geographic variation" in prostate cancer diagnoses and deaths across the US.
"By building on these findings, we can work towards reducing the number of men affected by this disease," he said.
Prostate cancer is fueling a cancer epidemic, with 10% of new diagnoses in the U.S. Occurring in men under 55. Thatinchan – stock.Adobe.ComProstate cancer is fueling a cancer epidemic, with 10% of new diagnoses in the US occurring in men under 55, and deaths from prostate cancer are expected to jump 136% from 2022 to 2050.
Prostate cancer is the second most common form of male cancer after skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is not typically fatal — in part because it is usually slow-growing, is often low-grade, and it has many treatment options are available.
An estimated one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but only one in 39 (or 2.6%) will die from it, according to the National Institutes of Health.
As with all cancers, early detection and early-stage treatment are critical to survival.
Treatment for prostate cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or targeted drug therapy.
Situated below the bladder, the prostate gland's primary function is semen production and ejaculation.
Prostate problems can manifest as urinary symptoms, including an urgent need to pee and/or difficulty starting the steam, weak flow, or straining.
The manufacturers of Roundup have repeatedly denied that the product is dangerous to human health. MOURAD ALLILI MOURAD/SIPA / ShutterstockIn addition to urinary symptoms, the presence of blood in the urine or semen should be addressed with a doctor immediately. Indicators that advanced prostate cancer has spread include bone and back pain, weight loss, testicular pain and loss of appetite.
Pesticides like the ones observed in this latest study are used as agricultural support to maintain crops, kill weeds and manage insect and vermin infestations.
According to the Daily Mail, pesticide consumption has grown nearly 60 percent since 1990, reaching 5.86 billion pounds by 2020. Pesticides are a blanket term for chemicals that include herbicides, which are specifically used to kill weeds.
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Roundup — the most widely used weed killer in the US — reportedly contains 41% of the herbicide glyphosate, a known endocrine disruptor.
Endocine disruptors interfere with hormone systems, causing side effects like infertility, birth defects, developmental disorders and increased cancer risk.
Roundup also includes 2,4-dichloroacetic acid, also known as 2,4-D. Animal studies have linked exposure to 2,4-D during pregnancy with lower body weight and behavioral issues in offspring. Separate research has established a link between exposure to 2,4-D and an increased risk of lymphoma, as well as kidney and liver damage.
The main ingredient in Roundup is a known endocrine disruptor. Getty ImagesMonsanto and its owner Bayer AG, the manufacturers of Roundup, have repeatedly denied these dangers and assured the public that thier products pose no threat to human health.
Yet, earlier this year, Bayer AG was ordered to pay $2.25 billion after a Pennsylvania jury unanimously ruled that its Roundup weed killer gave a man cancer.
John McKivinson, 49, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, sued Roundup maker Monsanto and its corporate parent, Bayer, saying he developed the cancer after using the herbicide on his property for two decades.
McKivinson's attorneys at Kline & Specter previously told The Post that the massive payout includes $2 billion in punitive damages.
Jury members also found that Monsanto was negligent in warning customers about the dangers of Roundup,
The jury's ruling is "a declaration that its misconduct was in reckless disregard of human safety and a substantial cause of John McKivison's cancer."
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