• Cancer symptoms include diarrhoea, weight loss and back pain
• Men are 60 per cent more likely to be diagnosed
• Other signs include rectal bleeding and finding blood in urine
• See your GP if you're worried you may have cancer

Cancer affects more men in the UK than it does women, and they are also more likely to die from it.

According to Cancer Research UK, men are 60 per cent more likely to get it, and 70 per cent more likely to die from it.

It is thought men are generally less likely to visit the doctor if they experience an early sign of cancer.

However, if men catch their symptoms sooner rather than later, doctors can stop it before it spreads and it may mean more effective treatment.

Here are ten early signs of cancer in men:

Diarrhoea

While altered bowel habits are normal, frequent or persistent diarrhoea and constipation could point to bowel cancer.

Look out for whether bowel changes come on suddenly, and if there is a change in the size of bowel movement.

Weight loss 

Unexplained weight loss may point to a serious condition such as cancer.

This is something that you should be particularly aware of if you are older, since weight can become difficult to keep down as you age.

Rectal bleeding

Consistently bleeding from the bottom could be a sign of rectal cancer.

It may come with blood in the stools and iron deficiency anaemia due to blood loss.

However, rectal bleeding could also be sign of a less serious condition, such as haemorrhoids.

Urinary incontinence

Incontinence is a common problem that happens to people as they age, however it could also be a sign of prostate cancer.

Look out for urinary leaks, an inability to urinate despite the urge, delayed urination and straining during urination.

Blood in the urine

A common sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, and it could also be a sign of prostate cancer.

It is more common in current and former smokers.

Lumps in breast

Each year a number of men are diagnosed with breast cancer, and while it kills far fewer than women, it may still be deadly.

A lump in the breast area is one of the earliest signs, and the condition tends to affect men over 60 years.

Back pain

While it could be due to heavy lifting or sleeping in an awkward position, persistent back pain may also indicate cancer.

This is often cancer that has spread to the bones of your spine, such as prostate cancer.

Unusual coughing

This is a common sign of a cold, but a cough that lingers could point to lung cancer, particularly if you cough up a bloody mucus.

look out for whether the cough is accompanied by a stuffy nose or fever, since if it isn’t it may be due to something other than a virus or infection.

Testicular lumps

Finding lumps in the testicles could be an early sign of testicular cancer.

While it is less common in men than prostate and lung cancers, it can prove just as deadly.

Tiredness

Excessive fatigue could be a sign of chronic fatigue syndrome or lupus.

However, it could also be a sign of cancer as the disease starts to take its toll on your body.

If you are concerned about any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. Visit Cancer Research UK for more information.