What you will notice if it is cancer

Emobileclinic Trending Topic: Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

Cancers are diseases that affect human being. The signs and symptoms depend on the location, size and the extent of its effects on the organs or tissues. Metastasized cancer symptoms may appear in any parts of the body.

It is important to know some of the general signs and symptoms of cancer. However, having any of these does not mean that you have cancer – many other things cause these signs and symptoms, too. If you have any of these symptoms and they last for a long time or get worse, you have to see a medical practitioner. Some of the general symptoms are:

Unexplained weight loss: it is common for most people with cancer to lose weight at some point.  An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be the first sign of cancer. This happens most often with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus (swallowing tube), or lung.

Fever: it is very common with cancer, but it more often happens after cancer has spread from where it started. Most people with cancer will have fever at some time, especially if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system. Fever may be an early sign of blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.

Fatigue: an extreme tiredness that fails to get better with rest is an important symptom as cancer grows. But it may happen early in some cancers, like leukemia. Some colon or stomach cancers can cause blood loss that is not obvious.

Pain: it may be an early symptom with some cancers like bone cancers or testicular cancer. A headache that does not go away or get better with treatment may be a symptom of a brain tumor. Back pain can be a symptom of cancer of the colon, rectum, or ovary. In most cases, pain due to cancer means it has already spread from where it started.

Change in bowel habits or bladder function: long-term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool may be a sign of colon cancer. Pain when passing urine, blood in the urine, or a change in bladder function (such as needing to pass urine more or less often than usual) could be related to bladder or prostate cancer. Report any changes in bladder or bowel function to a doctor.

Sores that do not heal: skin cancers may bleed and look like sores that do not heal. A long-lasting sore in the mouth could be an oral cancer. This should be dealt with right away, especially in people who smoke, chew tobacco, or often drink alcohol. Sores on the penis or vagina may either be signs of infection or an early cancer, and should be seen by a health professional.

White patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue: it may be leukoplakia which is a pre-cancerous area that is caused by frequent irritation. An untreated leukoplakia can become mouth cancer. Any long-lasting mouth changes should be checked by a doctor or dentist right away.

Unusual bleeding or discharge: it can happen in early or advanced cancer. Coughing up blood may be a sign of lung cancer. Blood in the stool could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Cancer of the cervix or the endometrium can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer. A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.

Thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body: it occurs mostly in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes (glands), and the soft tissues of the body. Kindly note that some breast cancers show up as red or thickened skin rather than a lump.

Indigestion or trouble swallowing: if no improvement after treatment may be signs of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or pharynx (throat). But like most symptoms on this list, they are most often caused by something other than cancer.

Nagging cough or hoarseness: a cough that does not go away may be a sign of lung cancer. Hoarseness can be a sign of cancer of the larynx or thyroid gland.