Health warning on men’s signs prompt care

A UK NHS GP warns that enlarged male breasts can mark serious underlying illnesses and urges medical checks.

Gynecomastia signals potential cancer and liver disease

A UK NHS GP, Dr Surak Kukadia known as Dr Sooj, used a TikTok video to warn that gynecomastia can be a sign of serious conditions such as testicular cancer, breast cancer or liver disease. He stresses that while the NHS says it can be common and may not require treatment, it can also point to underlying health issues that deserve medical attention. The video, which has drawn over 228,000 views, also notes other signs to watch for, like lumps, swelling, or changes in the chest or nipple area. The NHS emphasises that early detection can improve outcomes for cancers and liver disease, though many cases of gynecomastia are benign. Social media users shared personal stories in response, underscoring the real anxiety around symptoms that could indicate serious illness.}

"There has been a concerning rise in cancers among young people," the piece notes, and it points to statistics that show testicular cancer remains the most common cancer in young men, with survival rates high when detected early. It also cites that penile cancer, when caught early, has a five-year survival rate above 90%. By contrast, late-stage cancers carry a much bleaker outlook. On liver disease, the report highlights rising deaths and suggests as many as one in five people in the UK could be affected, with a large portion undiagnosed due to few obvious symptoms. The symptoms of liver disease can include fatigue, weight loss and jaundice, among others. The piece concludes by advising people to consult a clinician if they notice signs, stressing that professional assessment—blood tests and hormone profiles—can clarify the cause and appropriate treatment.

The piece uses a health warning from a clinician to frame a broader public health concern. It leverages patient anecdotes to humanize risk, but keeps a cautious tone about how common or rare each condition might be. The underlying tension is between empowering people to seek care quickly and avoiding alarm in a way that could spread misinformation. The rise in liver disease and cancers among younger people adds urgency to the message, yet the story also risks normalizing anxiety if not paired with clear guidance from medical professionals. Health communicators should balance accessibility with accuracy, and social platforms must channel viewers toward credible sources and clinical evaluation rather than self-diagnosis.

Highlights

Health messages should guide action, not trigger fear.