Here is our guide to looking out for and knowing what to do if you spot symptoms of cancer.
September is an important one on the calendar because from a health point of view, it marks Blue September - a scheme put forward by leading charities and figures to raise awareness and deliver a strong message about cancer in men.
It appears that women are more clued up about cancer symptoms than men, so Blue September has set out to change this - as cancer in men is just as important and shouldn't be turned a blind eye to.
Around 154,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with cancer each year, with one-third of male deaths being cancer-related.
Figures released by Cancer Research UK show that the most common form of cancer in men is that of the prostate, with around one in four males in the UK affected by the disease.
Reports have also shown that men are more reluctant than women to visit their local GP or to seek health advice.
This reinforces the message of Blue September and leads us to emphasise why men should be on their guard against cancer.
The statistics for men's health in the UK are rather surprising.
On average, 42 per cent of men die before the age of 75 and 22 per cent before they reach 65.
Lifestyle choices play an important role in determining the outcome of the mortality rate.
Some men may feel stuck in their everyday routines and fall into bad habits, such as ordering a fast-food meal after a long day at work or turning to cigarettes as a way of escaping from the office.
But in the long-run, these choices will begin to take their toll on the condition of your health.
Here are a few steps you can take to get yourself out of the rut - without harming your body in the process.
- Eat fresh food - Instead of picking up a takeaway menu, write down a list of meals and prepare them at the start of each week.
- Take salads for your lunch and mix them up each day by adding a new vegetable, meat or fish.
- If you're still hungry, eat some pieces of fruit for a healthy dessert. Evening meals can be cooked in advance and frozen so you don't have to cook when you return home from work.
- Put the cigarettes down - smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer and can increase the risk of developing other types of cancer. Nicotine patches and chewing gum can help to reduce cigarette cravings - as well as lots of willpower.
- Choose alternatives - when you visit a supermarket, it's easy to make small healthy changes to your diet that will have a big effect on your health. For example, switching to skimmed milk, reduced sugar and low-fat alternatives can contribute to maintaining a healthy weight. Likewise, cut back on alcohol by choosing non-alcoholic wine, beers and cocktails.
- Keep active - exercising or being physically active for at least 30 minutes each day is extremely important for your body. Join a gym or your local sports club, or simply wake up and go for a jog in the fresh morning air.
Detecting cancer in its earliest stages can speed up the treatment process and increase your chances of survival.
Here are some common symptoms to look out for:
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual lumps or growths
- blood in urine, vomit and when you cough
- a mole that is itchy, discoloured or an irregular shape
- changes in bowel habits
If you spot any of these signs, contact your GP as soon as possible and you will be referred to a specialist if cancer is suspected.
Remember to regularly check for lumps and to stay aware of the symptoms.
You can also help to fundraise for Blue September by hosting events involving blue clothes, face paint and wigs - a fun way to translate a serious message.
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