There are over 200 cancer types. The most common ones are: lung, breast, prostate, bladder, ovarian, kidney (renal), colorectal, endometrial and pancreatic cancer, as well as leukemia and melanoma. For most of these types of cancer, the survival rate is very poor, especially for lung cancer. The late detection when the cancer is already in advanced stage is the main reason and that definitely impedes the treatment process.
Here are some of the most common warning signs of cancer. If you experience some of them, make sure you address them properly.
1. UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS
This is one of the initial noticeable cancer signs, especially in the case of solid tumor cancers like lung and breast cancer. When the cancer reaches the liver and disrupts its functioning associated with removing toxins and regulating appetite, it causes weight loss. This can also be a warning sign of digestive types of cancer, like colon cancer.
40% of all cancer patients report this warning sign at the time of diagnosis up to 80% of advanced cancer cases are experiencing cachexia (general ‘wasting’) and unexplained weight loss.
Losing weight by paying attention to your diet or exercising is normal. In all other cases, losing up to 10% of your weight, or up to 10 pounds a month in a 6-month span is likely a cause for concern.
2. FATIGUE AND WEAKNESS
Consult your doctor ASAP if your fatigue and weakness don’t disappear even when you rest or get more sleep, because it might be a warning symptom of many types of cancer.
3. FREQUENT FEVERS OR INFECTIONS
Fever is a sign that your body fights an infection, but if it’s a prolonged or persistent one, it might indicate a cancerous condition, like lymphoma. Also, the cancer of the blood cells, leukemia, can cause signs such as fever, frequent infections, aches, fatigue, and other flu-related signs.
4. SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR WHEEZING
Shortness of breath and wheezing can show various conditions, including lung cancer. Wheezing might be caused by a lung tumor pressing against and narrowing an airway.
5. CHRONIC COUGH AND CHEST PAIN
Lung cancer and leukemia symptoms can sometimes mimic bronchitis or a bad cough. The problem might appear occasionally, or be persistent. These symptoms can be followed by chest pain extending down the arm, or into the shoulder. Make sure you make an appointment with a doctor as soon as you can. If you cough and your voice is hoarse more than 6 weeks, consult your doctor. In some cases, hoarse voice indicates thyroid, lung, esophageal, or laryngeal cancer.
6. BLOATING
Among the most common warning signs of cancer is also frequent bloating for no apparent reason and over a longer period of time. If it is accompanied by swelling in the abdomen, pelvic pain, and feeling of fullness, it might indicate ovarian cancer. Similarly, bloating or pain in the stomach after eating might indicate a stomach cancer.
7. CHRONIC HEARTBURN
Heartburn is a sign of acid reflux, but, persistent heartburn might be related to esophageal cancer or Barrett’s esophagus. In May 2012, the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology has published a study which explains that chronic heartburn can cause inflammation of the tissue lining in the esophagus that in turn raises the risk of esophageal cancer. Furthermore, in 2013, the American Journal of Cell Physiology has published the research conducted by scientists at Rhode Island Hospital, which explains the link between Barrett’s esophagus and the esophageal cancer development.
9. DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING
Feeling chunks of food stuck in your chest or throat or problems with swallowing that worsen with time, might indicate throat or esophageal cancer. Other warning signs of these types of cancer include burning sensation or pain when swallowing food. Esophageal cancer doesn’t show any initial symptoms, so don’t ignore these if they do appear. Problems with swallowing can also be one of the initial warning signs of lung cancer.
10. JAUNDICE
This is a condition characterized by yellowing the whites of the eyes and the skin. Jaundice is usually a symptom of gallbladder or liver disease, but it can as well be a sign of pancreatic cancer which disrupts the functioning of liver and bile duct.
11. UNUSUAL SWELLING OR LUMPS
One of the common warning signs of cancer may be a strange lump on your groin, testicle, breast, underarm, abdomen, neck, or any other part of your body that lasts for 3 weeks or more. In this case, make an appointment with your doctor ASAP. Sometimes, a lump or enlarged lymph node under the arm can indicate breast cancer, Swollen, red and sore breasts can be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer.
12. NEW OR CHANGING MOLES OR SKIN SPOTS
Most skin changes are not dangerous and don’t cause pain, but doctors recommend screening for cancer if you notice:
new spots, growths, or sores on the skin that don’t heal
changes in color, symmetry, diameter, or border of your existing mole
13. NAIL CHANGES
Strange changes in your fingernails can appear for many reasons. They can also be one of the warning signs of cancer, particularly skin, lung, or liver cancer. They look like this:
brown or black spots under fingernails can be a sign of skin cancer
enlarged ends of the nails (clubbing of the toes or fingers) can be linked with lung cancer. This problem is caused by conditions which lower the amount of oxygen in the blood
white or pale nails can indicate poor functioning of the liver caused by many diseases, such as liver cancer
14. ABDOMINAL OR PELVIC PAIN
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain followed by pelvic heaviness and changes in the bowel habits can point to ovarian cancer. The chances of developing this type of cancer are higher in:
women with a family history of ovarian, colorectal, or breast cancer
women who have never been pregnant
women diagnosed with colon, breast, uterine, or rectal cancer
In addition, pain in the pelvic area might indicate leukemia or uterine cancer.
15. UNUSUAL PAIN LASTING LONGER THAN 4 WEEKS
Pains and aches can be caused by numerous reasons. However, pain occurring for no apparent reason which comes and goes, or stays for a period of 4 weeks or more, has to be checked by a doctor because it may indicate testicular or bone cancer.
16. ABNORMAL BLEEDING
Blood can be a sign of a urine infection, but it can also be one of the warning signs of cancer, e.g. kidney or bladder cancer. In the same way, blood in stools can indicate bowel cancer, although it is a typical sign of hemorrhoids. Signs of uterine or endometrial cancer include bleeding after menopause or between periods. Sometimes vaginal bleeding can indicate vaginal cancer, although this is rare. Similarly, one of the warning signs of colorectal cancer is bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.
You should also know that excessive and persistent bruising and bleeding might be a warning symptom of leukemia. Coughing or vomiting blood can indicate lung and esophageal, or stomach cancer respectively. The reason for abnormal bleeding is not cancer in most cases, but it can indicate other serious conditions and diseases which certainly require proper medical examination, so make sure you visit your doctor often!
