Early Signs & Symptoms of Cancer

Introduction

Cancer is the second top cause of death in the world. When one is affected by cancer, the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and expand to other parts of the body.

There are 100 types of cancer, but routine screening, early detection and treatment can save one-third of people from cancer-related deaths.

Signs & Symptoms of Cancer

Changes in DNA create cancer. There are different types of cancers and varied signs and symptoms. The symptoms are caused by the rapid growth of cancer cells and the invasion of other parts.

Nearly all signs and symptoms are often caused by other problems, such as injury, illness and benign tumours. If these symptoms worsen or are not cured for a long time, you must be diagnosed immediately. The majority of cancer cases develop with warnings, but few do not.

Skin Changes – The changes can be increased hair growth, bleeding or squamous lump, formation of a new mole or alteration of an existing mole, dark spots, yellow eyes and jaundice. Skin changes are often associated with skin cancer but may also indicate other types of cancers.

Fatigue – Fatigue is different from tiredness. It is a severe tiredness or excessive lack of energy that doesn’t get better with rest. This exhaustion can be physical, mental and emotional.

Bladder Changes – Pain during urination, urge to urinate more often, even when the bladder is full and blood in the urine.

Weight Loss – It is visible and the most common among people with cancer. Losing weight is a response from the body when the cancer cell attacks healthy cells.

Fever – Fever is the most common symptom of illness, but it can also be a symptom of cancer.

Pain – Persistent pain for unknown reasons doesn’t get cured and gets worse.

Mouth Changes – Pain inside the mouth, swallowing struggles, bleeding, numbness and soreness.

Cough – A lasting cough gets worse. The cough has remained for more than three weeks. Recurring chest infections, not-stop breathlessness and pain when coughing or breathing.

Night Sweats – When a person sweats excessively during their sleep, it is called night sweats. It can occur day and night despite its name, night, sweats. It can be an early sign of liver cancer, leukaemia, mesothelioma, bone cancer, etc.

Breast Change – Change is the shape or size of one or two breasts, a lump or swelling in your armpits, skin changes and pain.

Other Signs & Symptoms

• Loss of Appetite
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Bowel habit changes

Cancer without warning

Cancer can develop without prior signs, and symptoms go undetected. Carcinoid cancer usually grows very slowly, making early detection and diagnosis difficult.

A person’s health and medical conditions are crucial factors in detecting cancer. The following cancers are subtle and show vague symptoms; hence, treating them at the early stage of development becomes difficult.

• Ovarian cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Lung cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Liver cancer

Asymptomatic Cancer

Asymptomatic cancer shows no symptoms when it develops in the body. The following are a few asymptomatic cancers.

• Breast cancer
• Skin cancer
• Brain cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Prostate cancer

Conclusion

Currently, there is no solution for curing cancer in any form. While recent advancements have brought new and effective treatments for cancer, it still has not reached the cure point. 

Even after complete remission (signs of cancer have reduced), cancer cells can last in the body. Full-scale defence is the viable option that is preventing ourselves from cancer rather than curing it.

FAQs