Common Cancer Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Cancer depend upon its primary location, whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body and the structures it is impinging upon. So,the signs and symptoms of Cancer can be variable and non-specific. So, these signs and symptoms happen to be indicative. Further investigations and tests need to be carried out in order to confirm the diagnosis of Cancer developing in your body.

A few common symptoms of Cancer are listed here. There may be many other signs that a particular cancer presents with. So, let us just say that any major changes in your body or it’s habits must be brought to the attention of your healthcare practitioner, at once.

Below are ten most common cancer signs and symptoms:

FEELING OF TIREDNESS THAT WOULD NOT GO AWAY

Cancer cells take up much of your body’s energy. These cells grow at an abnormally rapid rate. For their growth, they consume your body’s Red blood cells. This might lead to development of signs of Anemia in a person. The most common presentation of Anemia are:

• • Difficulty in breathing upon straining
  • Feeling tired too easily
  • Loss of weight
  • Pale looking skin

 PRESENCE OF LUMPS IN ANY PART OF THE BODY

Lumps are amongst most Common Cancer signs and symptoms. Not every lump is cancer. Some lumps can be due to swollen lymph nodes while some could also be due to cysts. However, it is very important not to ignore the smallest of lumps. Lumps are most noticeable in parts like breasts, testicles and underarms. Get these examined by your health care provider in order to rule out any cause of concern. The sooner a cancer is diagnosed the less likely it is to spread and deteriorate your quality of life. Early diagnosis always ensures better prognosis. So, please pay attention to your body.

UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF WEIGHT

Shedding of weight without any obvious cause like dieting or change in your workout routine should ring a bell. A sudden and not-so-obvious weight loss of 8 to 10 Pounds most often indicates cancer of Stomach, Food pipe and lungs. Fever might also be an early sign of blood related cancers like a Lymphoma or Leukemia.

REDUCED IMMUNITY AND RECURRING FEVER

Reduced immunity and recurring fever could be due to Cancers that involve immune system or affect the WBCs in some way. Both these signs are more common in cancers that have spread. Reduced immunity leads to your body being more prone to catching infections of all kinds.

SORES OR ULCERS THAT WOULD NOT HEAL

Skin sores or the sores of mucous membranes that do not heal must not be ignored. These might indicate cancers. Get these examined by a qualified health care practitioner at once.

Mouth ulcers, especially in people who take Pan masala, Supari, Gutka, Khaini, smoke or consume alcohol must be screened at once with the stoppage of the habit.

CHANGES IN APPEARANCE OR SIZE OF A MOLE OR WART

Any sort of changes in the shape, size, colour or margins of a skin mole, wart or patch of pigmentation must be reported to your physician at once. These could be a definite sign of a skin cancer.

UNUSUAL BLEEDING

Another one amongst Common Cancer signs and symptoms is abnormal bleeding. Bleeding while coughing, bloody or tarry looking in stools, bleeding from nipples, blood in urine or vaginal bleeding other than periods are all unusual types of bleeding and should not be ignored. These are very serious symptoms that need immediate medical intervention.

CHANGES IN TEXTURE OF VOICE

Changes in texture of voice such as, hoarseness could point out towards Larynx. Similarly, long-lasting cough is a hint towards lung-associated cancers. Infective and hormonal causes behind these problems need to be ruled out in these cases.

DIFFICULTY IN SWALLOWING

Chronic difficulty in swallowing is another symptom that could be hinting towards cancers of certain organs like: Esophagus, stomach or throat. Though, the reasons behind difficulty in ingesting food could be many, cancer is one of them.

WHITE OR RED PATCHES IN MOUTH

Premalignant lesions in mouth can be spotted by your dentist if you go for regular dental visits. White patches, White striations, Red patches in mouth, increased stiffness of oral mucosa, reduced mouth opening and burning sensation in mucosa of mouth are all initial symptoms of Oral malignancies though, they need to be confirmed by tests and biopsies for reaching a definite diagnosis.

So, these were some of the Common Cancer signs and symptoms.You can enroll for annual health plans and regular dental check-ups to rule out as well as catch many health problems, right in the bud. This way, you shall be able to catch hold of various diseases like cardiac problems, Diabetes, Prostate associated problems, premalignant lesions and even certain signs that might indicate cancer at very early stages if, you go for annual  health check-ups.