Don’t rely solely on routine tests to protect yourself from cancer. It’s also important to listen to your body and notice anything that seems different, strange, or unclear.
Here are some signs that are often overlooked:
1_ Wheezing or shortness of breath
One of the first signs many lung cancer patients notice is not being able to catch their breath.
2_ Chronic cough or chest pain
Many types of cancer, including leukemia and lung tumors, can cause symptoms that mimic a bad cough or bronchitis. Some lung cancer patients report chest pain that radiates to the shoulder or down the arm.
Did you know that cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment? Cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment, but they stop existing in an alkaline environment.
3_ Recurring fevers or infections
These could be signs of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia causes the bone marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells, undermining the body’s ability to fight infection.
4_Difficulty swallowing
Swallowing problems are often associated with esophageal or throat cancer, and are sometimes one of the first signs of lung cancer.
5_Enlarged lymph nodes or lumps in the neck, armpits, or groin
Enlarged lymph nodes indicate changes in the lymphatic system, which can be a sign of cancer.
6_Excessive bruising or bleeding that doesn’t stop
This symptom usually indicates something abnormal with platelets and red blood cells, and this may be a sign of leukemia. Over time, leukemia cells crowd out red blood cells and platelets, impairing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and clot.
7_Weakness and fatigue
General fatigue and weakness are symptoms of many different types of cancer that need to be considered along with other symptoms. But anytime you feel unexplained fatigue and don’t respond to sleep, talk to your doctor.
8_ Abdominal bloating or weight gain
Women with ovarian cancer often report unexplained abdominal bloating that comes on suddenly and lasts intermittently for a long period of time.
9_ Feeling full and unable to eat
This is another sign of ovarian cancer; women say they have no appetite and can’t eat, even if they haven’t eaten for a while.
10_ Pelvic or abdominal pain
Pelvic and abdominal pain and cramping can be accompanied by abdominal bloating, which often indicates ovarian cancer. Leukemia can also cause abdominal pain due to an enlarged spleen.
11_ Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
This is a common finding of a colorectal cancer diagnosis. The presence of blood in the toilet itself is a reason to visit the doctor and schedule a colonoscopy.
12_Unexplained weight loss Weight loss is an early sign of colon cancer and other cancers that affect the digestive system; it is also a sign that the cancer has spread to the liver, which affects your appetite and your body’s ability to get rid of waste.
13_Stomach
Stomach upset or pain Recurring stomach cramps or stomach upset may indicate colon and rectal cancer.
14_Breast redness, pain or swelling
These symptoms may indicate inflammatory breast cancer. Contact your doctor about any unexplained breast changes.
15_Nipple changes.
One of the most common changes women remember before they are diagnosed with breast cancer is a nipple that begins to look flat, inverted, or twisted to one side.
16_Unusually heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods.
Many women report this as a sign of endometrial cancer or uterine cancer. Ask for a transvaginal ultrasound if you suspect something more than normal heavy periods.
17_Facial swelling
Some lung cancer patients report noticing a puffiness, swelling, or redness in their face. Small cell lung tumors often block blood vessels in the chest, preventing blood from flowing freely from the head and face.
18_A sore or bump on the skin
That doesn’t heal, peels, or bleeds easily. Learn about the different types of skin cancer — melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma — and be careful when examining your skin all over your body for unusual growths or spots.
19_Nail changes
Unexplained changes in your nails can be a sign of several types of cancer. A brown or black line or dot under the nail may indicate skin cancer, while a newly discovered “pin” — an enlarged fingertip with the nail folded over the tip — could be a sign of lung cancer. Pale or white nails can sometimes be a sign of liver cancer.
20_Back or lower right side pain
Many cancer patients say this was the first sign of liver cancer. Breast cancer is also often diagnosed because of back pain, which can occur when a breast tumor pushes back against the chest or when the cancer spreads to the spine or ribs.
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