A disease which causes development and uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the body is referred to as cancer. It is capable of destroying healthy cells and can spread in the body at an alarming rate.  

Even though cancer kills the second most number of people in the US, advancement made in treatments have significantly reduced the number of deaths caused by this disease. Finding the cause of cancer is always difficult, but if it is caught early, then it can be treated much more effectively using surgery. This is why it is important to know the symptoms of cancer.

General Warning Signs of Cancer

In order to keep in mind the seven early symptoms of cancer, the American Cancer Society has used the word C-A-U-T-I-O-N which means:

Change in bladder or bowel functions

A non-healing injury or sore

Unusual discharge or blood loss

Thickening or formation of a lump in the testicles, breast or any other part of the body

Indigestion or inability to swallow easily

Obvious change in the dimensions, color or appearance of a mole, mouth sore or wart

Nagging hoarseness or cough

You can refer to the following contents to see more detailed description of signs of cancer.

1.     Changes in Skin

Skin changes are among the warning signs of skin cancers. Visible changes in the skin can also be produced by some other types of cancers as well. A rapid rise in hair production, constant itching, reddening of the skin, yellowing of the eyes or the skin and turning to darker color are all the signs of cancer.

2.     Fever

Cancers are usually accompanied with fever. You are going to have a fever if the cancer is affecting your immune system. Most of the time the cancer patient will have a fever after the cancer has metastasized to other parts of one's body. In some rare cases, a fever may be an early indication of blood cancers like lymphoma or leukemia. 

3.     Fatigue

Fatigue can be caused by the unusual blood loss that happens in the case of colon or stomach cancers. Moreover, it is also considered as an early symptom of leukemia. In most cases, the patient starts feeling more fatigued and tired during the later stages of cancer.

4.     Pain

Pain felt in the back can be a sign of colon, ovarian or rectum cancer, while having a severe headache that does not respond to pain medication is indicative of brain cancer. Patients suffering from testicular or bone cancer might start complaining of having pain in their early stages.

5.     Weight Loss

Loss of body weight that occurs without reason is considered as the most common early symptoms of cancer. Cancer patients are bound to lose weight at some point during their disease. If you lose 10 pounds or more bodyweight, then you might have pancreatic, lung, esophageal or stomach cancer.

When to See a Doctor

Although the abovementioned symptoms are the most common symptoms found among cancer patients, they are not the only signs of cancer. It is imperative that you report any kind of abnormality that you feel in your body to a doctor if you keep on noticing it for a long time. This will help you in figuring out what is wrong with you and in eliminating the possibility of cancer.

Warning Signs of Certain Cancers

Preventions of Cancers

1.     Pat Attention to Your Weight

Keeping tabs on your weight is essential for the prevention of cancer. Try to have a balanced diet and start performing some kind of physical activity to keep your body fit and healthy. Having meals in smaller portions and eating slowly are other ways of maintaining a healthy weight.

2.     Take Exercises Regularly

Doing exercise for about half an hour every day is going to help you in reducing your chances of getting cancer. This exercise can be any activity that you like, for instance, dancing, walking or even gardening, but remember to do it every day.

3.     Quit Smoking

Smoking can cause all sorts of different cancers, which is why quitting this bad habit is essential for cancer prevention. Although quitting smoking is not easy, you can join a quit-smoking group to help you in putting an end to this dangerous habit.

4.     Eat Smart

Having a healthy and balanced diet is a good way of keeping yourself safe from cancer. Eat as much fruits, vegetables and whole grains as possible while keeping the consumption of red meats low. Your chances of having cancer will be significantly reduced if you do so.

5.     Limit Alcohol

Consumption of large amounts of alcohol on a daily basis increases the chances of cancer. Thus, it is best to limit the amount of alcohol for preventing cancer. Talk to a doctor if you have any difficult in controlling alcohol.

6.     Get Screen Exam

Getting frequent screen exams can help in the early diagnosis of a number of different cancers when they are at a treatable stage. Thus, getting a screen exam performed from time to time can help you in protecting yourself against cancer.

7.     Limit Exposure to Sun

Sun exposure is the primary reason for the development of skin cancers. Wearing sunscreens having a rating of SPF 15 or higher can help you in minimizing sun exposure.

8.     Get Immunized

Contracting certain viruses makes you more vulnerable to cancer. Getting immunized against them is the only solution for ensuring that you remain safe from viruses like human papillomavirus and hepatitis B, which can cause cervical and lung cancer respectively. Consulting the doctor’s opinion whether to get immunization in advance is important.

If you are men, you may want to know early cancer signs men may ignore from: