Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although it is a disease whose investigation has meant improvements for its diagnosis and treatment, it is still very common. Although there are a number of factors that can facilitate the development of cancer, such as smoking, being overweight or excessive exposure to the sun, this disease cannot be avoided today.
An early diagnosis greatly increases the chances that a person with cancer will be able to fight it and be victorious. However, obvious signs that may indicate the presence of a tumor are not always detected. In fact, there are cases in which the cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage when the disease is highly developed. For this reason, at FastlyHealwe explain the 10 symptoms of cancer that you should know that, despite being common, could alert you to the presence of the disease.
Table of Contents
Coughing regularly
Coughing is one of the most common symptoms that accompanies conditions such as colds or flu , linked to respiratory problems. However, it could be related to cancer in cases in which it occurs chronically without being accompanied by other symptoms typical of common respiratory diseases. Therefore, although it is more likely that the cough is due to another minor problem, it is one of the symptoms that can appear along with lung or laryngeal cancer.
Unexplained weight loss
At first glance, weight loss is not a problem, especially if we have a few extra pounds. However, when weight is lost unjustifiably, that is, without exercise and a proper diet for this purpose, the reason could be another. Losing 10 pounds or faster for no apparent reason could be one of the symptoms of cancer of the pancreas , stomach, esophagus, or lung.
This could be explained by the excessive accumulation of free radicals in the body . In a moderate amount, these have positive effects so that different functions of the body are carried out correctly. However, when free radicals grow uncontrollably, they can cause damage to the body that results in different symptoms, including weight loss.
In pain
Pain in a certain part of the body is also one of the symptoms of cancer that you should know. Once again, we find a very common symptom that can appear and disappear quickly as a result of any blow or bad gesture. However, pain in the testicles could be a symptom of testicular cancer; joint pain could be linked to bone cancer; and headaches or migraines may be related to a brain tumor.
Diarrhea and / or bleeding
Changes in intestinal transit and prolonged constipation problems are some of the symptoms of colon cancer . Having blood in your stool is also one of the symptoms of colon cancer. Also, intestinal pain and discomfort, loss of appetite and weight loss are some of the signs of this cancer.
In people with a family history of colon cancer, it is advisable to go to the specialist for a colonoscopy. This medical test allows the small intestine to be examined for any signs that may reveal the presence of a tumor. This is because cancer can be inherited.
On the other hand, if women suffer from bleeding outside their menstrual period it could also be a symptom of cervical cancer . Other symptoms of this type of cancer is the presence of a heavy vaginal discharge, pelvic pain or pain during and after sexual intercourse.
Permanent tired feeling
There is no doubt that fatigue is the order of the day in our lives. Work and day-to-day obligations drain our energy quickly. Likewise, an inadequate diet, lack of exercise, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption are also some of the causes why we can feel more fatigued.
When cancer progresses, feeling tired can be one of the symptoms of the disease, although in some cases like leukemia , tiredness could be one of the main signs.
Shortness of breath, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing
Swelling of the oral cords is a common symptom of throat cancer . This type of cancer tends to occur more in men than in women, and there are several risk factors that increase the chances of suffering: smoking, drinking alcohol or having anemia of Fanconi. Some of the symptoms of this cancer that you should know are:
- Pain in the throat with no apparent cause.
- Discomfort when swallowing.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Hoarseness. This symptom can be accompanied by changes in the voice.
Urine problems
Noticing changes in the color of the urine or a different smell than usual are other of the most common symptoms of bladder problems. In most cases, these are usually the result of an infection that requires treatment. However, it is also a common symptom of bladder cancer , so a visit to the doctor as soon as we detect any of the signs is necessary. The change in color in the urine is usually caused by the presence of blood in it, which is known as hematuria. Sometimes the amount of blood next to the urine is very high, so the normal color of the fluid expelled during urination completely changes.
Skin changes
Another of the symptoms of cancer that you should know is related to the presence of alterations in the skin. In these cases, the signs that can be seen are usually linked to skin cancer through what are known as melanomas . These are moles that change in size, shape and / or color due to the proliferation of cancer cells in the skin and that can alert us to the presence of skin cancer. There are some people who are more prone to developing this type of cancer, especially those who are used to being exposed to the sun on a regular basis without any type of protection or those who are very freckled.
These are some of the characteristics that can indicate the presence of a melanoma:
- Polka dots with irregular and poorly defined edges.
- Moles with an abnormal color: bluish, whitish or reddish.
- Asymmetric polka dots that have different shapes on each side.
- Moles that are enlarged or larger than 6 millimeters.
On the other hand, certain types of cancers can manifest themselves through the presence of lumps that can be felt through the skin, as in breast and testicular cancer . In these cases, a hard mass usually forms that can be palpated with the hand.
Jaundice
Jaundice is the yellowing of the mucous membranes of the eye and other parts of the body due to an excess of bilirubin. It is a symptom that occurs as a result of problems in the gallbladder, liver or pancreas . Some of the conditions that can cause this coloration are infections in the liver, the presence of gallstones , eating disorders or the intake of drugs in excess. However, it is also possible that it is one of the symptoms of cancer that you should know, corresponding to the presence of a tumor in the pancreas.
Wounds that do not heal
Having wounds on the skin that do not heal or that take longer to heal than necessary is another of the symptoms of cancer. Rashes, dry skin, and itching may also appear. These symptoms are usually related to skin cancer .
On the other hand, detecting small white spots on the tongue could be a sign of precancerous lesions. Common in pipe smokers, these signs could lead to tongue cancer if left untreated.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.