Written By Jessica Sweet / Reviewed By Ray Spotts
When it comes to cancer, there are some symptoms that are relatively well known, such as the development of lumps on the breast or body and excessive tiredness and fatigue. However, some cancer symptoms are less obvious, and seemingly minor signs are often ignored or attributed to a minor cause.
In some cases, the symptoms are so mild they completely unnoticed. Understanding the unusual and less common symptoms is essential and getting help when you first notice them could result in early cancer detection, which could save your life.
Don't Wait To Seek Help
Recognizing the symptoms of cancer early is the best way you can control the outcome, and the one thing all these unusual signs have in common is that they are all a departure from what's typical of your body.
When you're familiar with your body and pay attention to any changes, including small ones, you are more likely to notice issues in time for early detection.
Regular screenings are a great way to keep up to date with your body and catch any problems as soon as possible; a full body scan can look at multiple organs at once to give you the best chance of detecting cancer before it becomes severe.
These scans take approximately one hour and can fit into even the busiest schedule; for more information, check out Ezra's full body scan for cancer.
Persistent Cough
In the current climate of the world, getting a cough is worrisome for most people. If you develop a cough that you can't seem to shake that is not linked to any condition, it could be a sign of cancer.
An ongoing and persistent cough may be a symptom of cancer in the lungs, thyroid, larynx, or lymphoma, as well as leukemia, especially if you are also coughing up blood. If your cough is present for more than a few weeks and doesn't improve with a course of antibiotics or other medical treatments, your doctor will most likely order an X-ray of your chest to rule out cancer.
Mysterious Pain
Overdoing it at the gym or a moment of clumsiness can lead to pain are a normal part of life, but if you don't know where the pain is coming from or it isn't getting better, it may be time to speak to your doctor; this is the same for any bruises, sores, lumps, or swelling that doesn't improve.
The pain you're experiencing could be the cause of many things. Frequent headaches are often an indication of a brain tumour. Back pain can suggest breast, lung, or liver cancer, stomach pain may be a sign of pancreatic cancer, lasting bruises could be leukemia, and sores or itchy patches that last for weeks on end could be a symptom of skin cancer.
These signs could turn out to be nothing to worry about, but if it is an indication of cancer, catching it early gives you the best prognosis for recovery.
Sudden Weight Loss
Weight loss is typically seen as a sign of getting healthier, but if you are dropping weight rapidly without changing your diet or the level of exercise you engage in, your weight loss could be a sign that there is something wrong.
Sudden weight loss is often a symptom of stomach, pancreas, esophagus, colon, liver, or lung cancer. However, sudden weight gain can also signify cancer as bloating, loss of appetite, and abdominal weight gain are common symptoms of ovarian cancer.
As changes in weight are often considered to be caused by stress or diet changes, most people don't associate it with cancer, which is why it is imperative to speak to your doctor if you experience any sudden changes.
Changes In Bladder Or Bowel Habits
Blood in the urine or stool could be a sign of bladder and kidney cancers or colon cancer, and men with prostate cancer often experience difficulty urinating. Many people find talking about their bowel and bladder changes uncomfortable; however, it's vital that you don't let embarrassment stop you from talking about your symptoms and changes in restroom habits with a doctor.
Persistent Heartburn
Heartburn can affect anyone and is typically caused by stress or overeating; however, persistent heartburn may be a sign of a more severe problem. If you are experiencing constant acid reflux that lasts for weeks and making changes to your diet isn't helping, you should speak to your doctor as persistent heartburn is often a symptom of throat, stomach, and ovarian cancer.
Long-Lasting Fever
There are many cancers and tumours that cause fevers, and if you have a fever that doesn't go away, it could be a sign of a more severe problem.
Cancers of the blood, like leukemia, can impact the immune system, which makes it more difficult for your body to fight against infections. You will often have flu-like symptoms alongside this type of fever, making it challenging for people to notice it as a more serious issue.
If the flu-like symptoms and fever linger or start to get worse, it could be a sign you are suffering from more than a cold or flu.
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Written By:
Jessica Sweet loves to write and share her thoughts with interested readers and businesses that might want to work with her! From cooking to travel, style to relationships, there’s something on here for everyone, so keep your eyes peeled for the latest enticing articles designed to help you live your best life.
Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash