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It Helps to Know What You are Looking For

#MensHealth #CANSACares
#LowerCancerRisk #CANSAScreening

While no-one likes to believe it could happen to them, you may hear the words ‘you have cancer’ next.

CANSA would like to avoid this happening to you.

Think you are too healthy? So did Andreas…

“Prostate cancer was a big shock since I was healthy throughout my whole life. Please test PSA levels regularly. Prostate cancer is very curable when it’s detected early."

(cancer Survivor Andreas Kleynhans)

Cancer incidence is on the rise and the top 5 cancers among SA men according to the 2019 National Cancer Registry are: prostate; colorectal; lung; non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and melanoma. Sadly, many men are ignoring the signs or avoiding examinations leading to late diagnoses, resulting in poor quality of life.

The surgeon discussed Sipho’s* colonoscopy results with him. He had been experiencing discomfort for many months. “This type of cancer (colorectal) is slow growing. It’s been here a while, at least a few years, to reach this stage. If you’d undergone a colonoscopy two years ago, I’d most probably have found a polyp or two.” If Sipho had listened to what his body was telling him, he may have avoided being diagnosed with cancer.

*Not real name

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As mentioned earlier, CANSA would like to avoid this happening to you. Here’s our advice…

We know that these actions are a winning recipe helping to lower cancer risk / detect it early:

Heed the Signs

Prostate cancer symptoms:

If it’s in your family let your medical practitioner know and ask when to go for the relevant checks. In the early stages, men may have no symptoms. Later, symptoms can include frequent passing of urine, especially at night; difficulty starting or stopping urination; weak or interrupted urinary stream; painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation; blood in urine or semen. Advanced cancer can cause deep pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs. Read more…

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Colorectal cancer symptoms:

Be aware of your family’s cancer history and ask your medical practitioner about when to have the relevant checks. Early stages there are no symptoms. Most colorectal cancers begin as a polyp, a small growth of tissue that starts in the lining & grows into the centre of the colon or rectum. Change in bowel habits (diarrhoea / constipation / consistency of stools); rectal bleeding or blood in stools; persistent abdominal discomfort (cramps, gas or pain not related to diet); a feeling that the bowel does not completely empty; weakness or fatigue; unexplained weight loss. Read more…

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Lung cancer symptoms:

If you are exposed to toxic cancer-causing agents in your work environment or if you are a smoker, you are more at risk. Changes in a chronic cough or ‘smoker’s cough’; a new cough or cough that gets worse and does not go away; a change in sputum; coughing up blood (even a small amount); shortness of breath or wheezing; constant chest pain (especially when coughing); frequent chest infections; a chest infection that lingers; hoarseness; feeling tired all the time; swelling of the neck and face; loss of appetite; losing weight without trying; bone pain; headache. Read more…

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Melanoma:

Experienced bad sunburn as a child or teen? You could be more at risk regardless of your skintone. A mole with one half looking different than the other half; the border of the mole is not clearly defined or even; moles that are colourful (usually they are a single shade of brown or black) or colour spreads beyond border of mole onto surrounding skin; the mole is wider than 6mm; change in surface of mole (scaling / oozing or bleeding); the mole keeps changing and growing, becoming more noticeable; a sore that does not heal; a new growth; itchiness, tenderness or pain. Read more…

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Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma symptoms:

Have you been experiencing prolonged flu-like symptoms? Please ask your medical practitioner for advice, as symptoms often mimic flu, Covid or other respiratory illnesses. Symptoms may include night sweats; itching; swollen lymph nodes in neck, underarms, groin or other areas; fever and chills coughing or shortness of breath if the cancer affects the thymus gland or lymph nodes in the chest; or weight loss; or abdominal pain or swelling, which may lead to loss of appetite, constipation, nausea and vomiting; or if cancer affects the brain: headaches, concentration problems, personality changes or seizures may occur. Read more…

Is cancer in your family? Or are you experiencing any of these symptoms? Please don’t delay investigation through screening and give cancer a chance to grow and spread to other parts of your body.

Get Yourself Checked

Contact your local CANSA Care Centre to make an appointment for affordable screening.

Live to Lower Your Risk:

Now you know what to look out for, be pro-active in looking after your health!

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