Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for men in the United States,¹ yet 65 percent of men are behind on at least one routine cancer screening,² creating opportunities for providers to start conversations about cancer risk, appropriate screenings, and symptoms patients should not ignore. For patients without symptoms, routine cancer screening can help detect precancerous lesions or cancer early, when treatment may be more effective.³

For those who are symptomatic, identifying and acting on the first signs of cancer can help lead to an earlier diagnosis and increase the chances of successful treatment.⁴ While screening may identify cancer in patients without symptoms, increasing awareness of new or persistent symptoms can encourage patients to seek timely evaluation.⁴

Some of the common cancers in men, and their early symptoms, can include:

• Prostate cancer:⁵ Although early warning signs are rare, symptoms may include urinary changes, blood in the urine or semen, painful ejaculation, or a reduction in the amount of fluid ejaculated.⁶
• Colorectal cancer:⁵ Symptoms may include persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or low iron levels.⁷
• Lung cancer:⁵ While lung cancer often does not cause symptoms until it has advanced, possible warning signs include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, recurrent respiratory infections, or unexplained weight loss.⁸
• Skin cancer:⁵ Warning signs may include a new or changing mole or growth, a sore that does not heal, or changes in the color, shape, or border of a skin lesion.⁹
• Testicular cancer:⁵ Symptoms may include a painless lump, swelling, discomfort, or other changes in the size, shape, or feel of a testicle.¹⁰

Through screening and educating male patients on the warning signs of different types of cancer, early detection of cancer can help to improve health outcomes.^4,11

How providers can make an impact

Talking to your male patients about cancer screening recommendations and encouraging those who meet these recommendations to get screened are opportunities to help increase the number of men who are up to date on routine cancer screening. Recognizing the possible signs of cancer in your male patients, helping your male patients to understand these symptoms, and encouraging your male patients to speak up when these symptoms are present can help lead to earlier diagnoses of cancer,⁴ when cancer is easier to treat.¹¹

To support your male patients, consider using routine and follow-up visits to:

• Review whether patients are current on recommended cancer screenings.
• Consider each patient’s age, personal and family history, risk factors, and previous screening history.
• Discuss screening options with patients who may benefit from individualized decision-making.
• Explain that some cancers may not cause symptoms in their early stages.
• Encourage patients to report new, persistent, or unexplained symptoms.
• Establish a clear next step, such as scheduling an appropriate screening, evaluating symptoms, or arranging follow-up.

A timely recommendation or conversation can help a patient better understand their risk, complete an appropriate screening, or seek evaluation for a concerning symptom. Making these conversations with your male patients a part of routine care can help to prevent cancer, detect cancer early, and help save lives.¹¹

Resources

The Cigna Healthcare^® Preventive Care Services (A004) administrative policy provides information on preventive services, including cancer screenings, that may be covered under applicable benefit plans. Coverage may vary based on the patient’s plan, clinical indication, coding, and applicable law.

Prevention, early detection and effective communication can save lives provides more information about the benefits of early cancer detection, the importance of cancer screening, and the role providers play in educating patients about screening options.

You can find additional information on cancer prevention and specific types of cancer that can affect men by reading:

• Lung cancer conversations: five critical insights every clinician needs to know
• Growing momentum for earlier HPV vaccination
• How modern living is fueling colorectal cancer in younger adults
• Beyond the sunburn: What your patients may not know about cancer risk
• Important facts your patients might not know about prostate cancer

1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Center for Health Statistics. “Men’s Health.” CDC/National Center for Health Statistics. 13 June 2026. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mens-health.htm.

2. Prevent Cancer Foundation. “Don’t avoid the doc: Survey says men are behind on screenings and not taking charge of their health.” Press release. 05 June 2024. Retrieved from https://preventcancer.org/news/dont-avoid-the-doc-survey-says-men-are-behind-on-screenings-and-not-taking-charge-of-their-health/.

3. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). “AACR Cancer Progress Report 2026.” AACR. Last accessed 13 October 2026. Retrieved from https://cancerprogressreport.aacr.org/progress/cpr26-contents/cpr26-cancer-screening-for-early-detection/.

4. World Health Organization. “Cancer – Screening and early detection.” World Health Organization. 01 September 2026. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/cancer-screening-and-early-detection-of-cancer.

5. American Cancer Society. “Cancer Facts for Men.” American Cancer Society. 27 May 2026. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/understanding-cancer-risk/cancer-facts/cancer-facts-for-men.html#testicular-cancer.

6. Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). “Prostate Cancer Symptoms.” PCF. Last accessed 09 October 2026. Retrieved from https://www.pcf.org/patient-support/understanding-prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-symptoms/.

7. Kellie Regal. “Colorectal Cancer Rates Are Skyrocketing in Young Adults — Is Your Lifestyle Putting You at Risk?” Cancer Research Institute (CRI). 02 March 2026. Retrieved from https://www.cancerresearch.org/blog/colorectal-cancer-awareness-month.

8. American Cancer Society. “Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer.” American Cancer Society. 27 February 2025. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html.

9. American Cancer Society. “Signs and Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma.” American Cancer Society. 11 August 2026. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-cell-carcinoma/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html.

10. Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. “Testicular Cancer – Signs & Symptoms.” Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. Last accessed 09 October 2026. Retrieved from https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/signs-and-symptoms.

11. CRI Staff. “Early Detection Saves Lives: The Essential Cancer Screenings You Can’t Afford to Skip.” CRI. 11 February 2025. Retrieved from https://www.cancerresearch.org/blog/early-detection-saves-lives-the-essential-cancer-screenings-you-cant-afford-to-skip.