A leading doctor has warned that ‘man boobs’ can be a sign of potentially deadly testicular cancer, breast cancer or liver disease.

Gynecomastia—when boys or men develop big breasts—can also cause sore or swollen nipples.

While the NHS says it is ‘common’ and does not always need treatment, sometimes it can be caused by underlying health issues which need addressing.

These can include kidney disease, thyroid problems or cirrhosis—permanent scarring of the liver often due to liver disease.

In a recent video posted on TikTok which has amassed more than 228,000 views, Dr Surak Kukadia, an NHS GP known as Dr Sooj shared other potential sinister causes.

The little-known symptom, he said: ‘Is such an important sign to be aware of because it could be a sign for so many different things, including things like liver disease, testicular cancer and even breast cancer.

‘And yes, men can get breast cancer. It is so important you are aware of that because if you notice any kinds of lumps or bumps in your breasts, it’s so important to get checked out.’

He continued: ‘When you go and see your clinician, we can take a history, we can examine you, and we can even do some investigations like blood tests and hormone profiles.’ 

After posting the video, he received lots of comments from social media users, who shared their personal experiences. 

The NHS GP warned it can be an important sign of several potentially life-threatening illnesses

One user wrote: ‘I was diagnosed in 2022 and had an orchiectomy to remove the cancerous testicle. 

‘Unfortunately, we were too late, and it had spread into my lymph nodes and caused me to undergo a Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection. 

‘Please, please check yourself lads. You know your own body better than anyone and if something doesn’t feel right, go to the hospital and get it checked out.

A second user commented: ‘Thank you for spreading awareness. Many men forget to do the simple weekly checks to check for any lumps.’

It comes amid a concerning rise in cancers among young people which has left many experts baffled. 

While testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, it is usually treatable with a high survival rate, killing 65 men in the UK each year.

Of men diagnosed with penile cancer early, more than 90 per cent go on to survive at least five years after diagnosis. 

However, the outlook for men with the most advanced cancer where it has spread to other parts of the body is bleak, so it is important to catch it early.

Other signs of testicular cancer include a lump or swelling, an enlarged testicle, ache or pain in the testicle or the scrotum feeling heavy, firm or hard.

Meanwhile, breast cancer kills 85 men each year in the UK, with the vast majority of cases occurring in women. 

Symptoms in men can include a lump or swelling in the chest or armpit, nipple discharge ,which may have blood in it, sores or ulcers on the chest and a change in the shape or look of the nipple. 

And there has been a sharp rise in liver disease related deaths, with it estimated to kill more than 11,000 Britons each year.

While it was once largely thought to be an illness that affected the elderly and heavy drinkers, it is now rising rapidly among younger adults, with cases in children doubling over the past two decades.

The British Liver Trust estimates the condition now affects one in five people in the UK, worryingly with 80 per cent thought to remain undiagnosed because it often has no obvious symptoms.

But signs of liver disease include fatigue, feeling weak all the time, loss of appetite, subsequent weight loss, loss of sex drive, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice—yellow skin and whites of the eyes.