Coping with cancer: don't bury your head in the sand...
Every year 164,000 men are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. Incidence rates show that men have a 14% greater risk of developing cancer than women, the reasons for the increased risk is not clearly understood but experts believe lifestyle is important.
Cancer Research (2010) identified the top three cancers in men are:
• Prostate cancer - 40,975 diagnoses
• Lung Cancer - 23,175 diagnoses
• Bowel Cancer – 22,384
Whilst the most common cancer in men aged 15-49 in testicular cancer, with 2,300 diagnoses in 2010 (Macmillan Cancer Support, 2013).
Knowing how your body normally looks and feels can help you spot any early changes. Having any of the following symptoms doesn't necessarily suggest you have cancer but it is advisable to get them checked out.
Signs & Symptoms
Testicular Cancer:
• Hard lump at front or side of testicle
• Swelling of a testicle
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or scrotum
• Difference between one testicle and the other
More than 95% of men with testicular cancer are cured
Lung Cancer:
• A cough that won’t go away
• A change in cough that you have had a long time
• Shortness of breath
• Blood in phlegm
• Unexplained tiredness
• Unexplained weight loss
Bowel Cancer:
• Persistent change in bowel habit, looser or more frequent
• Bleeding from the bottom without any obvious reason or blood in your poo
• Tummy pain
• A lump in your tummy
Prostate Cancer:
• Difficulty in passing urine
• Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine
• Needing to pass urine more often, especially at night.
Beverley Gambles, Medical Team Nurse at Lincoln City Football Club and Manager at the Macmillan Cancer Information & Support Centre, Lincoln County Hospital said: "There is a wide range of health promotion and information on cancer available at our three centres across Lincolnshire. Each centre is staffed by a health professional and supported by a team of trained volunteers."
The centres are at:
Lincoln County Hospital, Outpatients department. Mon-Thurs 8am-4pm. Tel: 01522 573799
Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Main Reception. Tues-Fri 9am-4pm. Tel: 01205 446392
Grantham & District Hospital, Outpatients department. Tues-Thurs 9am-4pm. Tel: 01476 464978
Alternatively the centres can be contacted via email at macmillan.infosupport@ulh.nhs.uk
We offer
• free, confidential advice, support and information about anything to do with cancer.
• a warm welcome to anyone affected by cancer
• a drop in service, where no appointment is necessary
Other useful resources include:
• Cancer, Any Age, Any Time. Haynes Owners workshop manual. ISBN 1 84425 1586
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above or any other concerns about your health 'Don't bury your head in the sand' - Make an appointment with your GP.
