10 Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore:

Catching the signs and symptoms early in the case of Cancer is crucial because on later stages it becomes difficult to cure it completely. Many cancer symptoms are not different and these can be shared with other common illnesses but it is important to pay attention on some symptoms like aches and pains that last longer than usual or getting more worse with time. The routine screening is the best way to find some cancers early as these can be detected when they’re small, have not spread, and are easier to treat through these screening tests.

In the screening process you can get checked for cancer before there are any symptoms of the disease. These tests can even prevent cancer from developing in the first place in case of some cancers like cervical and colon cancers. Whereas symptoms are usually the first sign of cancer for the cancer types that can’t get detected through screening, and for people who are too young for routine screenings. It is also complicated to know that what symptoms to look for because cancer is not just one disease, but it is a group of diseases that can take shape of any sign or symptom.

The signs and symptoms depend on the factors like where the cancer is, how big the tumor is and how much it affects the tissues. If a cancer has metastasized then the signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. A cancer can show some general symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness or weight loss. General symptoms can be caused by something that is not cancer but it’s important to have them checked out. If cancer is not the cause then the doctor can help to figure out what the cause is and treat it, if needed.

Research showed that many people ignore the symptoms like unexplained weight loss or change in the appearance of a mole and generally underestimate how serious these can be. But these symptoms should be checked as the researchers say that some symptoms, such as tiredness or coughing, are more likely caused by something other than cancer and opportunities for cancer to be diagnosed earlier are being missed. But please don’t ignore or overlook any symptom, especially if it has lasted a long time or is getting worse.

Let us discuss about 10 Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore:

1. Weight loss without trying: â€‹

Losing 10 pounds or more may be a sign of cancer unless & until you are starting a new diet or workout routine. You need to be wary of any sudden and large loss of body weight. Although, there could be a number of other reasons for rapid weight loss but it could also be a symptom of certain types of cancer also like pancreatic, lung and stomach cancer. Even if you lead a very active lifestyle, extreme weight loss in a short period of time is a warning sign to speak with a doctor.

2. Fatigue:

Although feeling tired after a busy day isn’t a matter of concern but extreme tiredness & constant fatigue that does not improve with rest and a balanced diet may be a symptom of several different cancer types i.e. leukemia, colon cancer or stomach cancer. There is no need to get panic every time you’re feeling tired. You should instead speak with your physician to explore the root cause of the fatigue.

3. Pain :

A rare, unusual or long-lasting pain can also be a symptom of bone cancer or testicular cancer. A headache that does not go away or get better with treatment could be a symptom of a brain tumor. In the same manner a back pain can be a symptom of cancer of the colon or ovary. If you suffer from chronic pain and if the pain doesn’t lessen over time, you should consult with a doctor to find out the cause and ensure that you are not dealing with a cancer.

4. Skin Changes:

Skin cancer is one of the easiest cancers to detect early because it shows the visible skin changes. If you notice that any wart, mole or freckle is changing its color, size or shape then it should be checked for melanoma or other types of skin cancer. Other skin changes that can be symptoms of cancer could be the darker looking skin, yellowish skin and eyes, reddened skin, itching, or excessive hair growth.

5. Change in bowel or bladder habits:

If you notice any kind of changes in bowel or bladder habits like long-term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in size of the stool etc. then these may be the signs of colon or rectal cancer. If there is a pain when passing urine, or bleeding during urine or any other change like needing to go to washroom more or less often than usual, then these could be related to bladder or prostate cancer.

6. Sores that do not heal:

Many people suffer from a cold sore or canker sore occasionally but it’s important to keep an eye on any sores in the mouth that are not getting healed with time. The Lingering mouth sores could be a sign of oral cancer, especially in the cases if you smoke, drink or use chewing tobacco. Sores on the genital area may also be an early cancer sign.

7. Fever:

Unusual fever can also be an early sign of cancer because sometimes cancer can affect the immune system that makes it harder for the body to fight against infection that causes fever.  Sometimes the unusual fever can be a sign of leukemia or lymphoma.

8. White spots in the mouth:

Always keep an eye out for unusual white patches inside the mouth or on the tongue, as well as these patches are known as leukoplakia that is a pre-cancerous area that’s caused by frequent irritation and it can lead to oral cancer if left untreated. It is generally caused by tobacco use or smoking and can become mouth cancer.

9. Unusual bleeding:

Many forms of cancer are accompanied by bleeding and these should never be ignored as coughing up blood may be a sign of lung cancer or blood in the stool could be a sign of colon cancer. If there is an abnormal vaginal bleeding then it may be a sign of endometrial or cervical cancer. Moreover, blood in the urine may be a sign of kidney or bladder cancer and a bloody discharge from the nipple could be a sign of breast cancer.

10. Lump

A lump or swelling specially the painful one in the breasts, testicles or lymph nodes is usually a warning sign for cancer. Men and women both should examine themselves for any kind of lumps at least once a month. While it is much less common so it important to keep in mind that, cancerous lumps can form in other places as well. So don’t hesitate to contact your physician if you are noticing any odd lump under your skin, especially near your joints.

Wrapping Up:

Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer or you’re even likely to have cancer. But if you are going through any of the above discussed symptom or if you notice any other big changes in the way of your body working or the way you feel then consult with a doctor. This is especially true if a symptom is existing for a long time or getting worse. Even if it has nothing to do with cancer then also doctor can find out more about what’s going on in your body and he will suggest you with the other treatments.