SHARES
“It was early detection that saved my voice – and I imagine, my life.” -Rod Stewart
Prevention may be better than the cure, although in Medicine early detection is what makes all the difference. Early detection of cancer greatly increases the odds of survival. WHO reports that there are two major components to early detection. Firstly education to promote early diagnosis and secondly health screening.
Below we list 5 self-checks you can do in the comfort of your home.
1.Waist Circumference
“Measuring the fat around your belly could be the most important self-exam for most men,” says Dr. Campbell. “More than other fat, belly fat produces hormones that increase men’s risk for heart disease and diabetes.”
To do this self-check, simply wrap a tape measure around your waist at the level of your belly button. If you measure more than 37 inches, you’re at risk for potentially serious health problems.
2.Oral Cancer
Research states that oral cancer is twice as common in men as in women, because of a cancer-causing virus, HPV. HPV accounts for 72 percent of all oral and throat tumors.
Oral cancer may show up as a sore or lump that doesn’t heal on the lips or in the mouth. To check for potential tumors, open wide and look and feel for any abnormalities, running a finger around and under your tongue. White or red patches in your mouth can be early warning signs of oral cancer. Always let your doctor or dentist know about these findings. Repeat this check monthly.
3.Testicular cancer
Globally, testicular cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men aged 15-39. Even though it’s one of the “most curable forms of cancer”, the earlier you find it, the better your prognosis is likely to be.
If you find a lump, see a doctor right away. The abnormality may not be cancer, but if it is, the chances are great it can spread if not stopped by treatment. Only a physician can make a positive diagnosis.
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Breast Cancer
That’s right: Men get breast cancer, too. It’s relatively rare — about 2,140 cases are diagnosed annually, compared with 230,480 cases among women — but because men don’t get mammograms, breast self-exams are a good idea. The best time to do one is after a shower.
Look for any change in the size of your breast and feel each breast for lumps. Also, squeeze both nipples to look for signs of discharge. You should do this about once a month.
5.Skin Cancer
To do a self-check for skin cancer, look for moles that change size, shape, thickness, or color. Let your doctor know about any growths that bleed, itch, burn, or crust over. Get naked and look everywhere, including in your scalp and on the soles of your feet.
“The back is a common area for melanoma,” Campbell says. “Have a partner help you check those areas that are hard to see.” Also examine your ears: Research from the Skin Cancer Foundation found that many skin cancers are found on sun-exposed areas where you often don’t think to put sunscreen. Ears are particularly vulnerable for men because of shorter hairstyles and poor sun protection.
by Yashwini Ravindranath
Born & raised in Malaysia, Yashwini earned her M.D. studying in Moscow's Russian National Research Medical University. With an affiliation towards research, all things coffee and the startup ecosystem, she now contributes articles to GetDocSays View all articles by Yashwini Ravindranath.
