Symptoms of Cancer and Cancer Signs
Unfortunately, there are no cancer signs that can be interpreted in one way: usually they can be attributed to several diseases. What some people think are symptoms of cancer often appear to be harmless conditions or temporary health problems. However, people with cancer diagnosis have more hope if the disease is detected at its early stage; therefore, if you experience any of the following, talk to your doctor to eliminate any doubts:
• Constant coughing, saliva with blood
Although these signs can be interpreted as the consequences of bronchitis or sinusitis (the infections that are successfully treated and cured), they may also be the symptoms of lung cancer, as well as cancer of neck or head. If you experience cough with blood of mucus for over a month, a visit to your doctor is strongly recommended.
• Change in bowel habits
Some other possible cancer signs include continuous diarrhea and pencil-like stool.
• Bloody stool
Although hemorrhoids is quite a common condition and these symptoms can be attributed to it, don’t forget it can go along with a cancer tumor. If you have hemorrhoids and see blood in the stool, the doctor should carefully examine your intestinal tract to make sure it’s not cancer that causes these symptoms.
• Anemia
If you have anemia, it should be a matter of examination by your doctor. In people with this condition fewer blood cells are produced than necessary to keep the body functioning in a normal way, which is similar to what happens in people with cancer diagnosis.
• Breast lump or breast discharge
In most cases the lumps found by women during self-examination appear to be harmless or benign: for example, cysts or fibroadenomas. However, every such lump should be examined to make sure it’s not a cancer tumor.
• Testicular lumps
Testicular cancer causes no pain in most men, which is why it’s so dangerous. The testicles can also change because of veins swelling or infections affecting them, but it’s always best to have them examined just to be sure.
• Change in urination
If you experience slow urine flow, frequent urination, or small amounts of urine, these symptoms may indicate you have a urinary infection or an enlarged prostate gland, but they can also mean you have bladder cancer.
• Blood in the urine
Bladder cancer and kidney stones can have the same symptom: blood in the urine. If you suffer from this symptom, talk to your doctor to establish the real cause.
• Hoarseness
Hoarseness is usually caused by some kind of respiratory infection and shouldn’t last longer than 3-4 weeks.
• Swollen glands or appearance of lumps
As it was mentioned before, in most cases lumps indicate harmless or easy to treat conditions. However, if your lump remains or increases in size, your doctor should examine it to find out if it’s cancer that causes the condition.
• Warts or moles changing color or shape
If you have any moles of different colors, with uneven edges, bigger than usual, or ones that bleed, have them examined by the doctor, as they may be cancerous.
• Indigestion or trouble swallowing
If these symptoms accompany heartburn, they are likely to go away soon as you start using antacids. Otherwise it should be a matter of concern.
• Vaginal bleeding or vaginal discharge
Cancer of the uterus may display symptoms such as vaginal discharge and bleeding. This can happen between periods or after the intercourse and should be examined by a qualified professional.
• Sudden weight loss, night sweats or fever
These symptoms are quite general and may be attributed to a number of other conditions. However, some types of cancer also display these signs.
• Itchy anus or genitals
Persistent itching can be caused by some precancerous conditions.
• Sores that don’t seem to heal
If your sores do not heal quickly enough, it may mean you have cancer. It’s strongly recommended to see your doctor.
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