Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death around the world. But while cancer diagnosis numbers are high, the medicine and technology available today has made treating cancer more effective. However, it’s crucial cancer is caught as early as possible for the best chance of treating it. This is why everyone should be aware of these common warning signs of cancer.
Weight loss
Unexpected weight loss can be a symptom of many conditions and diseases, including cancer. Cancer cells begin attacking healthy cells as the cancer grows and spreads — in response, loss of healthy cells could lead to weight loss. Unexpected weight loss is especially common in patients diagnosed with lung, stomach, and pancreatic cancer.
Changes in skin
As the biggest organ, a person’s skin can show signs of cancer. While skin changes are most common with skin cancer, resulting in changes in moles or other skin features, changes in skin can show up with other cancers as well. Lumps underneath the skin can end up being cancerous tumors, and redness, dark spots, and jaundice can all be a symptom of cancer, too.
Lack of appetite
Changes in digestion and appetite are closely linked with stomach cancer but can be seen in other cancers as well. When cancerous cells form and attack healthy cells, the state of the stomach can change and cause conditions such as nausea, indigestion, and an overall reduced appetite.
Chronic cough
Coughing can be associated with many conditions, even just a simple cold or allergies. But when a cough won’t go away, becomes very frequent, and results in a hoarse voice, it becomes worrisome at a new level. Lung cancer patients will generally have a persistent cough as the lungs fight to function properly.
Persistent pain
Sometimes a warning sign of cancer is as simple as feeling persistent pain in one specific area. Unfortunately, when someone starts feeling pain, this can mean that the cancer has spread and become very strong. While the pain may not always be in the exact area of the cancerous tumor or cells, localized pain can be a warning sign that cancer has formed somewhere.
Fatigue
Fatigue is something that is associated with a lot of different health problems, but it is common in almost all cancer patients. The body is working too hard to fight off the cancer cells and tiredness is bound to occur. Fatigue is especially common combined with other symptoms, like pain and a chronic cough.
Unusual bleeding
Bleeding is a symptom that is not commonly associated with a lot of health conditions. Some cancers may result in bloody urine or stools. If someone is noticing blood loss, they should seek medical attention immediately.
Difficulty swallowing
Cancers in the head and neck, especially the throat, can result in someone having a hard time swallowing. While swollen glands from a cold can also make it difficult to swallow, problems swallowing can indicate a major symptom of something more serious. Cancerous tumors can grow rapidly and lead to airways becoming obstructed.
Fever
Having a fever is generally the body’s way of fighting off an infection. When cancers spread, patients may experience fevers as their body tries to fight the cancerous cells. So while fevers aren’t common in the early stages of cancer, they may be common later on.
When cancer symptoms begin to show, doctors will suggest tests and screenings, like utilizing Ezra MRI scans for cancer, to come to a diagnosis as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there is no one specific tell-tale sign of cancer, especially with there being so many different types of the disease. This is why it’s important for everyone to keep in mind these common symptoms and to see their doctor sooner rather than later if they have concerns about their health.
