According to the National Cancer Institute, the United States of America is estimated to have 1,735,350 new cancer cases in 2018.
Although experts have tried to combat cancer, it is still one of the world’s most common and deadliest diseases.
While sometimes cancer develops without any sign, in most cases, it does. Only that you don’t catch these signs early. And the earlier you identify the signal and start management, the better the outcome.
In this article, you’ll learn some early signs of cancer that will help you start treatment immediately.
The specific signs of cancer can vary in different types of cancer. For instance, Cancers like that of the pancreas don’t usually show apparent signs immediately.
Weight Loss
Once cancer cells start attacking healthy cells, you can lose weight. The United States Cancer Society (ACS) reveals that most patients lose 10 pounds above before they are diagnosed with cancer. And in most cases, weight loss is the first sign.
A medical condition like overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) also leads to unexplained weight loss. However, weight loss as a result of cancer is sudden and unexplained.
Cancers that show these types of weight loss are:
- Stomach cancers
- Pancreatic cancer
- Lung cancer
- Esophageal cancer
Fever
The body responds to illnesses or infections through fever. For example, nearly everybody that has cancer develops fever as a symptom.
When there’s a fever, it is an indication that the cancer is in an advanced stage or has spread to various parts of the body.
Generally, fever is not an early symptom of cancer. But leukemia (blood cancer) tends to show fever among the earlier symptoms.
Blood Loss
Rectal or colon cancer commonly starts by causing unusual blood in the feces. But overt blood in urine is frequently seen in bladder or prostate cancer.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to let a professional healthcare provider (your trusted doctor) know about them for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It is essential to know that blood loss is usually challenging to detect in stomach cancers. This is because it is mainly internal bleeding.
Tiredness And Pain
Another symptom is unusual and unexplained tiredness. This is even a common symptom.
If you’re experiencing tiredness and have done everything necessary (such as proper sleep) but still not resolved, you definitely have a health challenge. And cancer is one of the diseases to suspect.
According to ACS, tiredness is one of the leading indicators of leukemia. In addition, loss of blood from cancers can also cause fatigue.
In cancer of the rectum, ovaries, prostate, and colon, you may feel pain. And most common is back pain.
Night sweats
While you usually sweat when you’re warm or during summer. Sweating as a result of cancer is far more intense.
You’ll typically be drenched with sweat in cancers. You may also observe night sweats in disease conditions that are not cancer. But in the early stages of liver cancer, lymphoma and leukemia, you’ll notice severe night sweats.
