7 Cancer Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Published: July 2022
Many early cancer symptoms are subtle—or resemble common illnesses—but may indicate serious conditions if they persist. Below are seven signs that warrant medical attention:
1. Unexplained Weight Loss
If you're losing more than ~5 % of your body weight without dieting or increased activity, especially over a short time, this may be an early indicator of cancers like pancreatic, lung, stomach, or esophageal cancer :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
2. Persistent Fatigue
Extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest can hint at blood cancers (e.g. leukemia or lymphoma) or other malignancies :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
3. Unusual Lumps or Swelling
A new lump in areas like the neck, armpit, groin, or breast—even if painless—should be evaluated, especially if it grows or persists :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
4. Changes in Skin or Moles
Watch for moles that change shape, color, size, or border—the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma—and for new skin lesions that bleed or look abnormal :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
5. Unexplained Bleeding or Bruising
This includes bleeding from the cough, urine, stool, or vagina—especially post‑menopause—or frequent bruises without injury. These can signify cancers of the lung, bladder, colon, uterine or blood-forming tissues :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
6. Changes in Bathroom Habits
Persistent constipation, diarrhea, blood in stool or urine, tenesmus (feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation), or frequent urination may indicate colon, bladder, kidney, prostate, or ovarian cancer :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
7. Persistent Pain, Digestive Issues, or Hoarseness
Ongoing abdominal or pelvic pain, chronic bloating, persistent indigestion or nausea, or unexplained hoarseness or chronic cough may be early signs of cancers of digestive or respiratory systems :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Why Early Detection Matters
Early identification of these symptoms can lead to earlier cancer diagnosis at treatable stages. While such signs may not always mean cancer, any persistent or unusual health change lasting more than two weeks should be checked by a healthcare provider :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Conclusion
Being attentive to these seven cancer warning signs—and seeking prompt medical evaluation—can make a significant difference in outcomes. Awareness and early action save lives.