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Most people have no signs or symptoms that point exclusively to the presence of cancer in their bodies. However, some cancers occur more frequently in certain age groups and gender. Many signs and symptoms of cancer can be innocuous and can be explained by a harmless health condition as well. But, if symptoms are persistent and do not resolve, it is important to see your doctor and get yourself evaluated.
Some of the common symptoms that are experienced with cancer are:
- A change in bowel movement
Most changes in bowel movement are related to changes in your diet or fluid intake. A stomach bug is also another common cause of change in bowel movement. However, these changes are limited to a few days and with appropriate treatment, bowel movement returns to normal.
Persistent constipation or even continuous diarrhea can point to the presence of a tumor in the colon. Persons with colon cancer may have a feeling of needing to go to the toilet even immediately after having a bowel movement.
Pencil-thin stools are also a symptom of colon cancer.
- Presence of blood in the stool
Blood in the stool should always be investigated by a doctor. Hemorrhoids are a common cause of rectal bleeding. Hemorrhoids can coexist with cancer. It is important to have a doctor examine your entire bowel to rule out cancer if you have blood in your stool.
A colonoscopy is recommended routinely once you are 50 years old. In some cases, an x-ray is sufficient to rule out cancer.
A nagging cough or blood-tinged sputum
A nagging cough or blood-tinged sputum is usually due to bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection, or lower respiratory tract infection. When these symptoms last for more than a month, it is important to get yourself evaluated by your physician to rule out lung cancer.
- Blood-tinged saliva
The presence of blood in the saliva can be a sign of sinusitis or more commonly gingivitis or mouth ulcers. Head and neck cancers that can cause you to have blood in your saliva include oral cancer, throat cancer (tumors in the pharynx, larynx, or tonsils), and leukemia.
- Hoarseness of voice and a sore throat
A change in the voice, mainly hoarseness with a sore throat and a cough that does not resolve with appropriate treatment may be due to cancer of the larynx (voice box). It may also be associated with ear pain. Drinking alcohol and using tobacco products are risk factors for laryngeal cancer.
- A lump in the breast or discharge from the nipple
Most breast lumps are benign tumors such as fibroadenomas or cysts. It is important to get all breast lumps evaluated thoroughly to rule out the possibility of breast cancer.
An MRI or ultrasound is usually required in addition to a mammogram to rule out breast cancer. A fine-needle aspiration cytology FNAC) or biopsy is usually performed for diagnosis.
Any discharge from the nipples which is abnormal (bloody) or one-sided should be evaluated to rule out breast cancer.
Women should conduct self-examinations of their breasts for detecting any abnormality soon and bringing it to the notice of their healthcare provider.
- Presence of blood in the urine
Blood in the urine can be due to kidney infections, kidney stones, bladder infection, or other causes. The blood may be visible to the naked eye or under the microscope. Any blood in the urine should be evaluated to rule out cancer of the genitourinary tract.
- Unexplained anemia
Anemia is a decrease in the red blood cell count. Any cause of anemia should be investigated and treated. There are many types of anemia with iron deficiency anemia being the most common. Iron deficiency anemia is caused either due to insufficient dietary intake of iron or due to blood loss. Iron deficiency anemia is common in bowel cancer due to the blood loss that occurs. Many other cancers also cause anemia.
- Changes in urination
Frequent urination, slow-flow of urine, difficulty in urination, or decreased urine amounts indicate a change in urination pattern. The most common cause in women is a urinary tract infection and in men, an enlarged prostate gland. Prostate enlargement usually occurs due to benign hypertrophy of the prostate gland with advancing age in men but may also be due to prostate cancer. A proper examination of the prostate gland along with measurement of the prostate-specific antigen levels should be done to rule out prostate cancer. Sometimes, a biopsy may be needed.
Tumors of the bladder can also cause an increased frequency of urination and bladder irritation.
- Swollen lymph nodes or persistent lumps
Lymph nodes may swell and enlarge following infection but usually return to their normal size once the infection subsides. Any swelling or lump that does not subside after 3-4 weeks should be evaluated to rule out cancer.
- A sore that does not heal
Any sore that does not heal after 1-2 weeks should be evaluated by a physician to rule out cancer. Sores usually take longer to heal in diabetics with uncontrolled blood glucose levels. In such cases, they usually heal once the blood glucose is brought under control.
- Any sudden change in the size or color of a wart or mole
A change in color or enlargement of a mole may be a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Bleeding from a wart or mole could be another sign of skin cancer. Any such change should be evaluated by a dermatologist who will excise the mole or wart and send it for histopathologic evaluation to rule out cancer.
- Difficulty in swallowing
Difficulty in swallowing can be a symptom of esophageal cancer or stomach cancer. Common causes that cause difficulty in swallowing include acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus). Less common causes include goiter, herpes esophagitis, and infectious mononucleosis. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that is a precursor to developing esophageal cancer and occurs in long-standing acid reflux and GERD. Barrett’s esophagus can be treated and needs to be monitored. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is necessary to rule out Barrett’s esophagus.
- Indigestion or vomiting
Indigestion along with nausea and vomiting can occur in stomach cancer, although these symptoms are more common with other benign gastrointestinal diseases like gastroenteritis or peptic ulcers. Vomiting of food shortly after eating or vomiting blood along with abdominal bloating after meals are more common with stomach cancer. These symptoms if persistent, should not be ignored and be evaluated by your doctor.
- Pain or a hard lump in the limbs
Pain and swelling in the limbs that is often dull may be a symptom of bone cancer. The swelling is usually hard and may increase in size over a few months. There may be accompanying weight loss and fatigue. Fracture of a bone following minor trauma is a less common symptom.
- Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
Any abnormal bleeding from the vagina must be checked by a gynecologist to rule out cancer of the uterus. This includes bleeding in between menstrual periods, following intercourse, and postmenopausal bleeding. Benign growths like polyps can also cause vaginal bleeding.
An endometrial biopsy (tissue lining the inside of the uterus) is required to rule out uterine cancer. Routine Pap smears are essential for the early detection of cancer of the cervix.
- Swelling or lump in the testicles
Testicular cancer usually presents as a painless swelling or lump in the testicles. Enlargement of the testicles can also occur following infections or swelling of veins. Any lump or swelling should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out cancer.
- Persistent itching in the genital region
Continuous itching of the anal and genital skin can be a symptom of precancerous conditions like lichen sclerosis and may be associated with easy bruising and tearing of the skin.
Some cancers can cause changes in skin color.
Continuous itching may be due to infections and other skin conditions like psoriasis. Proper treatment will help to clear the infection and control the itching in psoriasis. Your doctor may take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and rule out cancer.
- Unexplained weight loss, fever, and night sweats
Many cancers can present with unexplained weight loss, fever, and night sweats. Leukemia and lymphoma usually present with these symptoms.
Infections like tuberculosis may also present with similar symptoms. It is important not to ignore these symptoms if they continue beyond two weeks and seek medical advice.
- Back pain and pelvic pain
Although back pain is a common symptom due to postural habits and muscular exertion, it can also be a symptom of some cancers.
Multiple myeloma usually presents with back pain when the vertebrae are involved.
Ovarian cancer can cause back pain, pelvic pain along with bloating and indigestion.
- Headache
Headaches usually occur with stress or migraines and even in sinusitis. Headaches that are more severe in the morning or with activity may be due to a brain tumor. They may also be associated with nausea and vomiting, seizures, drowsiness, sleep problems, memory loss, and personality changes.
If over-the-counter medications fail to resolve a headache, you should see your doctor.
Catching these signs and symptoms of cancer for early diagnosis can result in better survival.
