Identifying Symptoms of Cancer
Author: John Published Under: Health
The chance of successfully treating cancer greatly depends on how quickly the cancer is detected. As a result, it is very important to be aware of changes in your body that could indicate cancer is present.
Changes to Bowels and Bowel Habits: Often, one of the first indications of colon or rectum cancer is a change to the bowel habits. It is very important to be aware of changes to the regularity of bowel movements, as well as the consistency of stool. Blood in the stool or very thin stool is often an indication that colon cancer is present.
- Rashes or Sores: If a rash or sore develops that remains for an extended period of time, this can often be an indication that cancer is present.
- Blood or Other Discharges: Any type of bleeding or discharge from any orifice in the body, including urine, stool, and vomiting, can be an indication that cancer is developing.
- Bumps and Lumps: Any bumps or lumps that develop in the body should be brought to the attention of a doctor, as they could be tumorous. This includes under the arms, as well as in the breasts, testicles, or on the skin.
- Stomach Pain: One of the most common symptoms of cancer, is stomach pain, reduced appetite, difficulty swallowing, or indigestion. This could be an indication of stomach, throat, or esophagus cancer.
- Fever: A persistent fever, with no indication of a cause, could be an indication of cancer. If the fever is present for more than a week, it should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
- Persistent or Chronic Cough: A cough that is persistent and nagging, with or without blood or sputum, can be a symptom of cancer. A persistent rough voice or hoarseness could also be a sign that cancer is present.
- Weight Loss or Weight Gain: Unexplained weight changes can be a symptom of cancer.
When considering these symptoms, it is very important to keep in mind that most of the times, they are not caused by cancer, but by another disease or condition. However, due to the need to quickly diagnose cancer, it is very important to report these problems as soon as possible.