I want to tell you something that I see play out in my clinic, month after month.
A woman notices a symptom. She waits two or three weeks. Then she comes in. We catch it early.
A man notices the same symptom. He waits three months. He tells himself it’s nothing. He comes in when the pain becomes unbearable, or when his wife finally insists. We find it at a later stage.
This pattern of men delaying care and arriving with more advanced disease – is one of the most preventable tragedies in oncology. And it is particularly common in India.
June is Men’s Health Month. I’m using it to say something plainly: men, your health is not a sign of weakness to attend to. It is a responsibility.
Why Do Men Ignore Cancer Symptoms?
It is not ignorance. Most men know cancer exists. It is something else – a combination of not wanting to “cause a fuss,” a fear of what they might hear, a reluctance to take time off work, and a cultural norm that equates toughness with ignoring physical symptoms.
The result is that cancers which could have been treated with surgery and a short recovery instead require prolonged, complex, multi-modal treatment-or, in some cases, are found too late for curative intent.
I am not saying this to alarm you. I am saying it because it is true, and because it is preventable.
The 5 Warning Signs Men Must Not Ignore
A lump anywhere on your body that wasn't there before
Changes in urinary function
Persistent cough or hoarseness lasting more than three weeks
Blood where it should not be
Unexplained weight loss or persistent fatigue
The Cancers Most Common in Indian Men
According to Indian cancer registry data, the cancers most frequently diagnosed in Indian men include: oral and oropharyngeal cancer (strongly linked to tobacco and areca nut use), lung cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, and oesophageal cancer.
Oral cancer deserves special mention. India has one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the world, and it is almost entirely preventable- tobacco in all its forms (cigarettes, bidi, gutka, pan masala) is the overwhelming driver. If you use any tobacco product and you notice a white or red patch in your mouth, a non-healing ulcer, or difficulty swallowing – do not wait.
What I’m Asking You to Do
You don’t need to become anxious about your body. You need to become aware of it.
Know what is normal for you. Notice when something changes. And when something changes and doesn’t resolve in three weeks see a doctor.
That is it. It is a small ask. It can save your life.
If you are a woman reading this: please share it with the men in your life. Because often, the people who get men to come to appointments are the people who love them.
Book your consultation at sachinmarda.com or WhatsApp me at 91-7702013311. I’ll see you soon.
– Dr. Sachin Marda
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