Reviewingcancersymptoms can be surprisingand worrying.
While there are several common symptoms of cancer, there are few that arespecificto this group of diseases.
Of course, these vague symptoms may also indicate something else entirely.
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Symptoms of cancer vary widely depending on the throw in of disease.
Recognizing theearly symptoms of cancercan help you have the best chance for early detection and effective treatment.
Upon learning of theirdiagnosis of cancer, many people state that they knew something was wrong.
A large 2016studyconfirmed this finding, at least with colorectal cancer.
The third most commonly reported symptom prior to diagnosis was “feeling different.”
Some of these symptoms are specific to certain types of cancer, while others may occur in several types.
Breast lumpscould be cancer but could also easily be benign breast cysts or fibroadenomas.
Mammograms miss around 20% of breast cancers.
Enlargedlymph nodesmay be the first sign of cancerespecially lymphomasand can occur in many regions of the body.
In fact, enlarged lymph nodes are one of thekey warning signs of lymphoma.
Night sweats in men shouldalwaysbe evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Bleeding from the lower colon (left colon) and rectum is often bright red.
In fact, some types of colitis are a risk factor for colon cancer.
Of course, respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) must also be considered.
Today, the most common form of lung cancerlung adenocarcinomatends to grow in the outer regions of the lungs.
Chest Pain
There are many causes of chest pain, with heart disease often being a prime suspect.
Fatigue
Unlike ordinary tiredness,cancer fatigueis often much more persistent and disabling.
Some people describe this tiredness as total body tiredness or exhaustion.
The hallmark of this kind of fatigue is that it significantly interferes with your life.
There are many ways in which cancer can cause fatigue.
The growth of a tumor, in general, can be taxing for your body.
If you find that fatigue is disrupting your normal activities, verify to talk to your healthcare provider.
It’s worth noting that melanomas are often first noticed by someone else.
If your loved one has a suspicious looking skin spot, don’t be afraid to say something.
If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.
Ovarian cancer can be treatable when caught early.
Blood in Urine
Blood in your urinecan bea symptom of bladder cancer.
Even a slight pink tinge to your urine warrants a visit to your healthcare provider.
Difficulty Swallowing
Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, can be a symptom of cancer.
It is often the first symptom of esophageal cancer due to narrowing of the esophagus.
Some of these include:
Finally, some cancers cause unique symptoms based on compounds they produce and secrete.
These symptomsreferred to asparaneoplastic syndromesmay present with symptoms sparked by the actions of those compounds.
For example, some lung cancers produce a hormone-like substance that raises the calcium level in the blood.
Sub-Groups and Complications
It’s important not to dismiss symptoms due to a lack of risk factors.
Lung cancerdoesoccur in people who have never smoked.
And colon cancerdoesoccur in young men and women.
In some conditions, there is earlier detection because you are visiting your healthcare provider frequently.
In others, especially psychiatric conditions, people may delay getting a diagnosis.
The cancer drugs might interact with the medications you are taking for your other condition.
Your other condition might become worse, and this can make it difficult to complete cancer treatment.
For example, if you have lung disease, chemotherapy can result in lung inflammation and worsen your symptoms.
Cancer treatment is also difficult during pregnancy as the fetus would be affected by chemotherapy or radiation.
Oftentimes, these symptoms turn out to be related to conditions other than cancer.
But confirming that is essential to avoiding missing an early diagnosis.
Despite the importance of addressing cancer symptoms, many people delay talking to their healthcare providers.
Your healthcare providerwantsyou to bring up any unusual symptoms, and itcanmake a difference if cancer is found early.
Finding cancer early may increase survival rates and can minimize the extent of treatment needed.
At times it may be hard to determine the precise cause of a symptom.
Symptoms are your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.
If you aren’t getting answers, ask for a referral or get a second opinion.
This is whyscreeningis an important aspect of health care.
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