Cancer symptoms: knowing these 14 signs can save your life
When a tumor forms, sometimes it
does not give signals but many others it sends us little alerts. Being
attentive to these messages that your body sends you can help you detect cancer
at an early stage and be more likely to treat it successfully. In this guide,
we are going to review the 14 most common symptoms that our body can launch to
alert us to cancer and we are going to explain how to differentiate it from
other possible diseases which will also send similar signals. So you'll get out
of doubt and gain peace of mind.
1. LOSING WEIGHT FOR NO REASON
How is that weight loss? Weight
loss may be a common symptom in most cases of cancer. According to the American
Society for Clinical Oncology, 40% of people with cancer report weight loss for
no reason at the time of diagnosis.
What cancers does it indicate? It
is a common symptom that tumors of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung
are forming or in tumors of other types that are already advanced.
Why happens? Cancer can cause a
loss of appetite which will flow from to several factors, like changes caused
by the tumor to the system or metabolism, which is that the process by which
the body breaks down food and converts it into energy.
What else could it be? Behind a
rapid weight loss, there can also be depression or a period of great stress
among many other causes.
How to differentiate it? It is
considered an alarm signal if it is around 5 kilos and it occurs unexpectedly
or abruptly. Such a weight loss should be consulted whatever its cause.
2. FEVER
What can you notice? A tumor can
give tenths of a fever without a cause that justifies them.
What cancers does it indicate?
Fever can be an early sign of cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.
Why happens? Tumors secrete
substances within the body that cause chain reactions that affect it. These can
cause symptoms such as fever.
What else could it be? Fever is a basic defense mechanism of our body that can appear for multiple reasons, for
example, an infection caused by a cold or flu.
How to differentiate it? It is a
non-specific symptom because it can have many causes, but if you have a
persistent fever for no apparent reason, consult an expert.
3. TIRED
How is? It is extreme exhaustion
that doesn't seem to enhance even with rest. It usually comes on suddenly and
lasts and gets worse over time.
What cancers does it indicate? As
cancer progresses, fatigue can become a symptom of disease, although in some
cases, such as leukemia, it can be one of the first symptoms, or it could also
indicate that there is a colon or stomach tumor due to a loss of blood that is
not visible and causes anemia. In other situations, the tumor can cause
anorexia or depression and cause fatigue.
Why happens? Tiredness is often
thanks to several causes like changes within the body caused by the tumor. Tumor
cells compete with nutrients, harming healthy cells, and this can lead to
fatigue. And another frequent reason is that the loss of blood caused by cancer
and stomach tumors.
What else could it be? Review
your diet because you may not have been getting enough nutrients lately. Behind
it, there may also be simple hemorrhoids, a urinary tract infection, or heavy
menstruation. It could be that you have been under a lot of stress for a
season. And it can also be depression or a hormonal problem such as
hypothyroidism.
How to differentiate it? Severe
fatigue that comes on suddenly and lasts and gets worse over time is a typical
symptom of cancer. And the usual thing is that it is not just any fatigue, but
it can prevent you from working or doing housework.
4. PAIN
How is? It can be located in any
part of the body and be of very different intensity. You can have a tumor
without pain, but it is a very common symptom. According to the Society for In clinical Oncology, up to 40% of people diagnosed with cancer reported feeling it
in some part of the body.
What cancers does it indicate? In
bone cancer, pain can be an initial symptom and in brain tumors, a headache
that does not remit is an alarm signal. If the tumor compresses the spinal
cord, it can squeeze bones and nerves and cause back and neck pain.
Why happens? It almost always
occurs because when the tumor grows it presses on the surrounding tissues. The
substances it secretes can also cause this type of discomfort.
What else could it be? In the
vast majority of cases, the pain has a cause other than the tumor. A bone or
joint pain for example could indicate osteoarthritis or arthritis. Or a leg
pain could be a simple circulation problem.
How to differentiate it? Most of
the time it is almost impossible to distinguish this pain. Thus, if the tumor
invades organs or nerves, it could cause discomfort that is not well located
and that does not go away, but it could have many other causes in reality. If
the pain does not have a definite cause or does not subside, do not wait and go
to the doctor. In certain areas there may be clues that help to detect it:
On the back and neck. If the pain
worsens when coughing or sneezing and is like a constant burning in the area,
it has many points due to a tumor.
In the abdomen. Pancreatic tumors
can cause colic-like pain, which is worse after meals, which can spread to
other areas and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as jaundice.
5. CHANGES IN THE SKIN
What does a mole say? A new mole
or changes in the shape, size, and appearance of an existing mole may indicate
melanoma.
And a wound that doesn't heal? It
may be due to other types of skin cancer. If it's in the mouth, it could be
oral cancer.
What if it stings? Some skin
cancers and others such as pancreatic cancer can cause seemingly unjustified
itching.
What if the skin turns yellow?
The pancreatic tumor can cause the skin to yellow by compressing the tube that
leads from the intestines to the liver, where bile and bilirubin accumulate,
which has a dark yellow color.
What if it reddens? When it
occurs on the face or trunk, it looks like a sunburn and is accompanied by
scaling, it may be caused by pancreatic cancer. If it's a purple spot that
appears on the fingers, nose, or ears, it could be digestive cancer.
What if there is excess hair?
Although it is not frequent, this excess can warn of an adrenal gland tumor or
ovarian cancer.
Darkening and thickening. It may
indicate that there is a digestive or urinary tumor, in the genitals or the
lymph nodes. New grayish spots across the body could indicate adrenal tumors.
Why happens? In the case of
carcinoma, excessive sun exposure is that the main cause. In other cases, the
lesions usually arise because the tumor presses and invade the skin.
What else could it be? The skin
may darken from taking birth control or plucking the armpits, red from an
infection, or turn yellow from anemia or gallstones.
How to differentiate it? In all
skin changes, when you are not very clear that it is due to another cause, go
to the doctor to find out because diagnostic tests or the eye of an expert are
often necessary to rule out that it is still a tumor.
6. CONSTIPATION OR DIARRHEA
What should concern us? It is a
change in intestinal regularity for a long time, in which episodes of
constipation can alternate with others of diarrhea.
What cancers does it indicate? It
can be a symptom of colon cancer.
Why is it given? Changes in
intestinal regulation can be due to effects caused by cancer itself, such as
poor appetite, intestinal obstruction due to a tumor, or the pressure of a
tumor on the spinal cord.
What else could it be? Many
people have chronic constipation. In these cases, the symptom can be
camouflaged. The most common causes of constipation include not getting enough
dietary fiber, not drinking enough water or other fluids, and not exercising.
The most common cause of diarrhea, meanwhile, is viral gastroenteritis, a food
poisoning caused by bacteria. It can also be due to an intolerance or allergy
to certain foods or a reaction to certain medications.
How do I know if it is cancer? If
constipation or diarrhea appears suddenly and lasts for quite 2 weeks, it's
better to consult the doctor to spot the cause. If it is colon cancer, the
stool may be narrower because the tumor is narrowing the intestine. There can
also be a sense of incomplete evacuation. And you may also feel diffuse abdominal
pain, rectal pain, or bleeding in the stool. However, this is often not
decisive, since blood within the stool also can have another cause, like the
presence of hemorrhoids. The important thing is to consult it quickly.
7. WHITE SPOTS OR SOINS IN THE MOUTH
How to recognize them? Sores are
sores with raised edges that appear on the sides of the tongue and on the
underside of the tongue. Plaques are white or red spots on the tongue, tonsils,
or the lining of the mouth.
What cancer can they indicate? It
is not uncommon for sores or spots to appear from time to time on your lips,
tongue, or palate. But if they do not heal, they could be indicating mouth
cancer.
Why happens? Tobacco is the main
cause of the appearance of these carcinogenic lesions. Together with alcohol
abuse, they are the cause of 85% of oral cancers.
What else could it be? The
recurrent appearance of sores can be caused by a digestive disorder or oral
candidiasis. To prevent canker sores it is best to avoid stress, eat well and
take care of oral hygiene.
How to differentiate it? In
addition to the lack of healing, be suspicious if you also feel your lips go
numb, your teeth loosen, or a severe earache appears. And consult especially if
the symptoms last more than two weeks.
8. UNUSUAL VAGINAL BLEEDING
Why should you put us on alert?
It is bleeding that occurs at an unjustified moment, that is, when it is
outside the bleeding days of the menstrual cycle or when the rule has already
been withdrawn.
What cancers would it point to?
During menopause, there is usually sporadic bleeding but if they appear after
this stage could indicate uterine, cervical, or vaginal cancers.
Why does it happen? Usually, the
tumor itself causes this abnormal bleeding.
What else could it be? The causes
can be many and do not have to be malignant. It can be endometriosis, that is,
a growth of the tissue that lines the uterus that occurs abnormally outside of
it. They can even be uterine polyps, which are usually benign. Stress, hormonal
changes, the IUD, etc., also can cause it.
When to consult? It is advisable
that you simply speak together with your gynecologist when it occurs to make
sure it's the origin.
9. APPEARANCE OF PACKAGES
What type of lump should alert you? It is like a hard mass of fat, with irregular edges, that does not hurt and does not move if you pull the skin, but is rather anchored.
What cancers does it indicate? Many cancers can be felt through the skin, especially breast, lymph node, or soft tissue (muscle, body fat, etc.) cancer.
Why happens? The lump is nothing more than the tumor itself that can be felt through the skin.
What else could it be? They can be lipomas (fatty lumps), cysts (air, fluid, or pus), adenomas (grow in or around the glands), neurofibromas (benign tumors of the nerves), etc., which can occur anywhere of the body. In the breasts, in addition, it can be fibroadenomas, a benign breast tumor, and in the uterus, fibroids (benign tumors of the muscular tissue of the uterus).
When should I go to the doctor? Any newly emerging hard mass should raise your suspicions. And also any lump that grows quickly.
How to differentiate it? If you detect an immobile lump in your breasts that is anchored in the tissue, see the doctor. And also if the size of your breasts has changed and now you have one much larger than the other, or if your nipples have reddened or secrete fluid. Watch if your skin changes color and if there is tightness in any area.
10. DIFFICULTY TO SWALLOW
What can you notice? Discomfort
when eating. When the matter comes from the esophagus, with hard foods like
bread, and not such a lot with liquids or soft foods. But if the origin is within the larynx, it
also can bother drinking. In addition, you may feel retching, a choking
sensation, or cough when you want to swallow.
What cancers to suspect? It can
be a symptom of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or pharynx.
Why happens? One risk factor is
smoking, which greatly increases the likelihood of cancer.
What else could it be? It may be
due to gastroesophageal reflux that occurs when stomach contents back up into
the esophagus. It is one of the most common digestive disorders, with 7% of the
population experiencing reflux symptoms every day.
How to differentiate it? Consult
your doctor if the difficulty in swallowing lasts a long time and you do not
know why it may be if it is accompanied by pain in different areas of the
throat and it seems to "burn" or if you find it difficult to speak or
chew.
11. PERSISTENT OR BLOODY COUGH
How is? It is a cough that does
not go away and that can be accompanied by blood secretions.
What cancers does it indicate? It
can be a sign of cancer of the lung or of the upper aerodigestive tracts such
as the mouth, pharynx, larynx, or esophagus.
Why happens? Tobacco is usually
behind the problem, because it is rare that a chronic cough in a person who does
not smoke can be related to lung cancer (unless he is a secondhand smoker, that
is, he is regularly exposed to cigarette smoke of others). Also, the risk for
recent smokers and ex-smokers is that they are used to having a cough and do
not pay attention to it.
What else could it be? According
to the American Cancer Society, some symptoms, such as cough, are more likely
to be caused by something other than cancer. Hundreds of diseases can cause
coughs like bronchitis, asthma, esophageal reflux. It could also simply be a
nervous tic.
How to differentiate it? The cough that causes a tumor is not different from the common cough but it is usually accompanied by blood or severe chest pain and these symptoms are used to occur periodically. Also, notify your doctor if you notice that it is difficult for you to breathe or wheezing appears when doing so.
12. VOICE CHANGES:
How is? There are alterations in
the voice or persistent hoarseness that is not apparently caused by an
infection.
What cancers does it indicate? It
could indicate that there's a tumor within the larynx or within the lung.
Why happens? Most laryngeal
cancers start in the vocal cords, so a change in voice is an early warning
symptom.
What else could it be? It could
be a respiratory tract infection, laryngitis. It can also be due to the
appearance of benign nodules in the throat, such as those that sometimes occur
in the thyroid due to a hormonal imbalance. And it can be a respiratory tract
infection such as laryngitis that if it lasts more than two weeks has become
chronic.
How to differentiate it? See your
doctor if your voice changes last more than 15 days. It is important to be
vigilant if, in addition to the change in voice, there is a cough with blood, a
severe earache, or persistent hoarseness.
13. PERSISTENT HEADACHE
How is? It is a persistent
headache. It can be given in the morning and relieved after vomiting. It can
cause confusion, double vision, and even weakness. It can also be made worse by
coughing or exercising.
What cancer does it indicate? Although
rare, it can be a sign of the presence of a brain tumor.
Why happens? Tumors can directly
destroy brain cells. They can also damage cells by causing inflammation,
putting pressure on other parts of the brain, and increasing intracranial
pressure, leading to headaches.
What else could it be? It could
be mistaken for a migraine. A migraine attack can last up to 4 days and may
also cause vomiting, vision problems, etc.
How to differentiate it? Pain
from a brain tumor lasts all day. It even prevents sleep. It is usually more
acute on one side of the head and becomes more unbearable every day. In
addition, it's usually amid other symptoms like behavior changes, difficulty
concentrating, or loss of balance.
14. BLOOD IN URINE
What do you have to detect? The
amount may be very small or can be detected only with urine tests or under a
microscope. In other cases, the blood is visible. Then the toilet water turns
pink or red or after urinating there are bloodstains in the water.
What cancer can it alert to?
Blood in the urine can indicate bladder cancer.
What can be the cause? The exact cause is unknown but it is known, for example, that smokers have twice the risk
of non-smokers suffering it.
What can it be confused with?
Among many other causes, bloody urine can be due to a problem with the kidneys
or some other part of the urinary tract, such as kidney or bladder stones, or
an infection or inflammation of these organs. Urine can also turn red from
certain drugs, or from consuming beets or other foods.
When to go to the doctor? See if
it also hurts to urinate, you need to do it very often and you have the feeling
of wanting to go to the bathroom without being able to do so.
KNOWING THE SYMPTOMS OF CANCER SAVES LIVES
Did you know that one in seven people is unable to identify the symptoms of cancer? Well, this is what an investigation by the British organization Cancer Research UK ensures. This same report affirms that thousands of people die each year due to this ignorance. This is especially alarming since according to the World Health Organization (WHO), most cancerous tumors can be cured if they are detected early. For this, this body also places special emphasis on the importance of recognizing the first warning signs in order to reach an early diagnosis.
HOW CANCER FORMS AND WHY IT CAN BE DETECTED BEFORE
Contrary to popular belief,
cancer can show symptoms of its presence long before entering an advanced
stage. In fact, reactions are already taking place in the body when cancer
begins to form, and these reactions give rise to symptoms that should alert us.
But to get to relate having a fever or feeling more tired than normal with
possible cancer, we must know how it is formed. Keep in mind that while a
normal cell divides and dies, a cancerous one does not and, as its
multiplication goes out of control, it forms masses - tumors - that destroy and
replace normal tissues. In doing so, these cells “use up” a lot of energy and
nutrients from the body, which can lead precisely to the fever or fatigue that
we said, but also to anemia or changes in weight, for example.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO DETECT A TUMOR IN TIME
But in addition to
"feeding" on the body's resources, cancer cells can also release
substances into the bloodstream that alter, for example, blood circulation or
fluid balance, which can translate into leg pain or swelling. It is these
alterations in our health that should make us suspicious, especially when we
cannot relate them to changes in our lifestyle or in our habitual diet and when
they have repeated over and once again or don't yield. In this case, we can go
to the doctor and clear our doubts.
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