There are over 200 Common Cancer Symptoms, each with varying signs and symptoms. However, the most common types of cancer are breast and lung cancer, which predominantly affect females and males respectively.
Early signs of cancer are similar to common illnesses, making them easy to dismiss. However, the notice of symptoms or signs, especially those that present some form of discomfort, should prompt a visit to the hospital.
Cancer symptoms may vary depending on which part of the body they affect. Here are some of the signs you should watch out for.
Common Signs And Symptoms Of Cancer
1. Unexplained Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss is when an individual loses weight without dieting, exercising, increasing physical activity, or making significant lifestyle changes. Weight loss of 10 pounds or more without effort might indicate cancer of the lungs, stomach, pancreas, and esophagus.
2. Fatigue
Cancer cells attack the immune system and negatively change how the body produces, stores, and consumes energy. When energy level is low extreme and unexplained tiredness is inevitable.
The cancer cell uses up the body’s energy to grow and spread to other parts of the body at the expense of the body’s nutrition. Cancer of the colon, stomach, and blood can show this symptom.
3. Fever
A fever is a common cancer symptom at certain stages of the disease. Fever is typically a sign that cancer cells are migrating to other bodily regions. Fever is frequently present in ovarian cancer and advanced leukemia.
4. Pain
Persistent migraines and headaches might be a sign of a brain tumor, while unrelenting back pain may be a result of rectum or ovarian, or colon cancer.
The presence of cancerous cells affects the body’s function and weakens the bones and bone tissues, leading to pain. Such pain can be a dull pain, burning sensation, or a sensation of pressure depending on the source of the pain.
5. Skin Changes
Changes in skin features can be a sign of skin cancer, which is the abnormal growth of skin cells. There are different types of skin cancer, and each presents distinct signs and symptoms. The signs and symptoms include
- Jaundice
- A new mole
- A wound that won’t heal
- Hyperpigmentation
6. Bowel or Bladder Dysfunction
A sudden change in bowel or bladder function, especially a dysfunctional one, like diarrhea, constipation, change in stool size, or painful and frequent urination and bloody urine, are prominent signs of the bowel, bladder, and prostate cancer, respectively.
7. Unusual Bleeding Or Other Discharge
In the advanced stages of cancer, bleeding is common. Stool discoloration and bloody stool could indicate either rectal or colon cancer.
Vaginal discharge is a symptom of endometrial cancer, and blood from nipples is a sign of breast cancer. Bleeding from the nose and blood-stained cough are an indication of leukemia and
lung cancer, respectively.
Signs and symptoms are the best ways to detect the growth of cancer cells, and the earlier, the better. However, silent cancer will not show any signs or symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. As a result of this, regular medical checkups and cancer screening are necessary.
Cancer is treatable, especially if detected early, with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation as proven successful. Stereotactic radiotherapy has a 90 percent chance of removing cancerous tumors.