Cancer is a formidable disease that can affect any part of the body. Early detection is critical for successful treatment and improved prognosis. Recognising the early signs of cancer can be lifesaving, so understanding what to watch out for is essential. This article will discuss the various early-stage cancer symptoms and how to identify them.

Where does Cancer Begin in your Body?

Cancer occurs when one or more genes in the body are altered, and the body forms cancer cells. These cells form cancer colonies or tumours. Cancer cells can detach from the tumour and travel through your lymphatic system or blood vessels to other parts of your body. Healthcare professionals refer to this as metastasis.

For instance, cancer that has originated in your breast may affect your lungs, and this will make it difficult for you to breathe. In some forms of blood cancer, the bone marrow produces faulty blood cells that rapidly multiply. Over time, the abnormal cells take over the normal blood cells.

General Early Signs of Cancer

While each type of cancer has its own unique symptoms, some general signs can indicate the presence of cancer. These include:

Unexplained Weight Loss:

Sudden and unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more can be one of the first noticeable early signs of cancer, particularly cancers of the pancreas, stomach, oesophagus, or lung.

Fever:

Persistent fever is a common symptom of early cancer, especially blood cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma. This fever is often not linked to an infection and can occur without other obvious causes.

Fatigue:

Extreme tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest can be an early sign of cancer. Fatigue is often associated with leukaemia, but it can also be a symptom of some colon and stomach cancers.

Pain:

Pain, especially if it’s persistent or unexplained, can be an early symptom of several cancers. For example, back pain can be a symptom of colorectal or ovarian cancer.

Skin Changes:

Any noticeable changes in the skin, such as yellowing (jaundice), darkening, reddening, itching, or excessive hair growth, can indicate early-stage cancer. Changes in moles, warts, or freckles, especially if they grow or change colour, should be evaluated for skin cancer.

Specific Symptoms Based on Cancer Types

Different cancers have specific early-stage symptoms. Here are some cancer symptoms to watch out for based on the type of cancer:

Breast Cancer

Lump in the Breast: A lump or mass in the breast, which is usually hard and painless, can be an early sign of breast cancer.

Nipple Changes: abnormal discharge from the nipple, retraction of the nipple, or alteration in the shape or colour of the areola or skin of the breast.

Lung Cancer

Persistent Cough: Persistent or worsening cough: Any cough that lacks initial improvement or worsens in severity after treatment.

Chest Pain: If you have a cough, difficulty breathing, or feel chest pain that persists when you are laughing or taking deep breaths, the condition may be serious.

Colorectal Cancer

Blood in Stool: Bright red or very dark blood may be darker than the colour of black cherries and can be seen during bowel movements.

Changes in Bowel Habits: It can be any long-standing alteration in bowel movements’ frequency, form, or consistency, for example, a change from regular bowel movements that are now characterised by diarrhoea or constipation or the change in form and shape of the stool that is now narrow.

Prostate Cancer

Urinary Problems: delayed onset of micturition, poor volume, intermittent or split urinary stream, palpable bladder, hesitancy, and nocturia.

Blood in Urine: Hematuria is one of the symptoms, as the term ‘haemorrhage’ relates to blood in general, but it is not mentioned specifically as one of the symptoms of this particular type of haemorrhage.

Skin Cancer (Melanoma)

Changes in Moles: The skin lesion that is new or is altered in size, pigmentation, or shape from previous descriptions.

Asymmetry: Half of the mole does not resemble the other half in as much as the shape or colour is concerned.

Ovarian Cancer

Abdominal Bloating: Abdominal distension for extended durations, commonly for some hours, day or even a number of days.

Pelvic Pain: occasional to chronic pain or sensation of pressure in or around the pelvis and/or abdominal area.

When is it Appropriate to Visit your Doctor?

These are signs that, if they exist within you and last for more than two weeks, are something that would want medical attention. Time is a critical factor when it comes to cancer, and that is why early detection is very important since it’s easy to treat at this stage. Cancer requires early detection, and thus, watching out for changes in your body’s usual routine enables you to notice the disease early enough.

Cancer Risks that You Have Some Control Over

Smoking: Cigarette smoking, cigar smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes also put you at risk of getting lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, oesophageal cancer and oral cancer.

Diet: Loving high-fat or high-sugar foods can greatly raise your chances of getting many types of cancer. You are also likely to fall ill if you do not engage in enough physical activity.

Environment: Ingestion of products that are hazardous to your health, like asbestos and pesticides, can cause cancer.

Radiation exposure: Exposure to sunlight, particularly ultraviolet UV rays, is a major cause of skin cancer. Overexposure to radiation therapy is also another cause of the disease.

Hormone Therapy: Women and people with AFAB undergoing hormone replacement therapy are at higher risk of developing breast cancer and endometrial cancer.

To Wrap up

One of the ways to prevent cancer is to identify cancer symptoms, especially at the early stages, so as to improve the results. Despite the fact that all these symptoms are evident in other conditions that could be less severe, they should not be neglected. It is important to fight cancer effectively by diagnosing the disease as early as possible and treating it. Medical examinations and paying attention to any symptoms that might indicate cancer can help detect the disease early, when cure rates and available treatments are better. Always be aware of the changes happening within your body, and if you develop any chronic issues, seek medical advice as soon as possible. For more information, contact Action Care Hospital.