Cancer symptoms: knowing these 14 signs can save your life

When a tumor forms, sometimes it does not give signals but many other times it sends us little alerts. Being attentive to these messages that your body sends you can help you detect cancer at an early stage and be more likely to treat it successfully. In this guide we are going to review the 14 most common symptoms that our body can launch to alert us to cancer and we are going to explain how to differentiate it from other possible diseases that can also send similar signals. So you can get out of doubt and gain peace of mind.

1. Losing weight for no reason

How is that weight loss? Weight loss is a common symptom in most cases of cancer. According to the American Society for Clinical Oncology, 40% of people with cancer report weight loss for no reason at the time of diagnosis.
What cancers does it indicate? It is a common symptom that tumors of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus or lung or in tumors of other types that are already advanced.
Why happens? Cancer can cause a loss of appetite that can be due to many factors, such as changes caused by the tumor to the immune system or metabolism, which is the process by which the body breaks down food and converts it into energy.
What else could it be? Behind a rapid weight loss there can also be a depression or a period of great stress among many other causes.
How to differentiate it? It is considered an alarm signal if it is around 5 kilos and it occurs unexpectedly or abruptly. Such a weight loss should be consulted whatever its cause.

2. Fever

What can you notice? A tumor can give tenths of a fever without a cause that justifies them.
What cancers does it indicate? Fever can be an early sign of cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.
Why happens? Tumors secrete substances in the body that cause chain reactions that affect it. These can cause symptoms such as fever.
What else could it be? Fever is a basic defense mechanism of our body that can appear for multiple reasons, for example an infection caused by a cold or flu.
How to differentiate it? It is a non-specific symptom because it can have many causes but if you have a persistent fever for no apparent reason, consult an expert.

3. Tiredness

How is it? It is an extreme exhaustion that does not seem to improve even with rest. It usually appears suddenly and lasts and gets worse over time.
What cancers does it indicate? As the cancer progresses, tiredness can become a symptom of illness, although in some cases, such as leukemia, it can be one of the first symptoms, or it could also indicate that there is a colon or stomach tumor due to a loss of blood that is not visible and causes anemia. In other situations, the tumor can cause anorexia or depression and cause fatigue.
Why happens? Tiredness can be due to various causes, such as changes in the body caused by the tumor. Tumor cells compete for nutrients, harming healthy cells, and this can lead to fatigue. And another frequent reason is the loss of blood caused by cancer and stomach tumors.
What else could it be? Review your diet because you may not have been getting enough nutrients lately. Behind it there may also be simple hemorrhoids, a urinary tract infection or heavy menstruation. It could be that you've been under a lot of stress for a season. And it can also be a depression or a hormonal problem like hypothyroidism.
How to differentiate it? Severe fatigue that comes on suddenly and lasts and gets worse over time is a typical symptom of cancer. And the usual thing is that it is not just any fatigue, but it can prevent you from working or doing housework.

4. Pain

How is it? It can be located in any part of the body and be of very different intensity. You can have a tumor without pain but it is a very common symptom. According to the Society for Clinical Oncology, up to 40% of people diagnosed with cancer reported feeling it in some part of the body.
What cancers does it indicate? In bone cancer, pain can be an initial symptom and in brain tumors, headache that does not remit is an alarm signal. If the tumor compresses the spinal cord, it can squeeze bones and nerves and cause back and neck pain.
Why happens? It almost always occurs because when the tumor grows it presses on the surrounding tissues . Also the substances that it secretes can cause this type of discomfort.
What else could it be? In the vast majority of cases the pain has a cause other than the tumor. A bone or joint pain for example could indicate osteoarthritis or arthritis. Or a leg pain could be a simple circulation problem.
How to differentiate it? Most of the time it is almost impossible to distinguish this pain. For example, if the tumor invades organs or nerves, it could cause a discomfort that is not well located and that does not go away, but in reality it could have many other causes. If the pain does not have a definite cause or does not subside, do not wait and see the doctor. In certain areas there may be clues that help detect it:
On back and neck. If the pain worsens when coughing or sneezing and it is like a constant burning in the area, it has many points of being due to a tumor.
In the abdomen. Pancreatic tumors can cause colic-like pain, which is worse after meals, which can spread to other areas and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as jaundice.

5. Changes in the skin

What does a mole say? A new mole or changes in the shape, size, and appearance of an existing mole may indicate melanoma.
What about a wound that doesn't heal? It may be due to other types of skin cancer. If it's in the mouth, it could be oral cancer.
What if it stings? Some skin cancers and others such as pancreatic cancer can cause seemingly unjustified itching .
What if the skin turns yellow? The pancreatic tumor can cause the skin to turn yellow by compressing the tube that leads from the intestines to the liver, where bile and bilirubin, which has a dark yellow color , accumulate .
What if it turns red? When it occurs on the face or trunk, it looks like a sunburn and is accompanied by scaling, it may be caused by pancreatic cancer. If it's a purple spot that appears on the fingers, nose, or ears, it could be digestive cancer.
What if there is excess hair? Although it is not frequent, this excess can warn of a tumor of the adrenal glands or an ovarian cancer.
Darkening and thickening. It may indicate that there is a digestive or urinary tumor, in the genitals or in the lymph nodes. New grayish spots across the body could indicate adrenal tumors.
Why happens? In the case of skin cancer, excessive sun exposure is the main cause. In other cases, the lesions usually arise because the tumor presses and invades the skin.
What else could it be? The skin may darken from taking birth control or plucking the armpits, become red from an infection, or turn yellow from anemia or gallstones.
How to differentiate it? In all skin changes, when you are not very clear that it is due to another cause, go to the doctor to find out because diagnostic tests or the eye of an expert are often needed to rule out that it is a tumor.

6. Constipation or diarrhea

What should concern us? It is a change in bowel regularity for a long time, in which episodes of constipation can alternate with others of diarrhea.
What cancers does it indicate? It can be a symptom of colon cancer.
Why is it given? Changes in intestinal regulation may be due to effects caused by the cancer itself, such as poor appetite, intestinal obstruction due to a tumor, or pressure of a tumor on the spinal cord.
What else could it be? Many people have chronic constipation. In these cases the symptom can be camouflaged. The most common causes of constipation include not getting enough dietary fiber, not drinking enough water or other fluids, and not exercising. The most common cause of diarrhea, meanwhile, is viral gastroenteritis, a food poisoning by bacteria. It can also be due to an intolerance or allergy to certain foods or a reaction to certain medications.
How do I tell if it's cancer? If the constipation or diarrhea appear suddenly and last for more than 2 weeks, it is better to consult the doctor to identify the cause. If it is colon cancer, the stool may be narrower because the tumor is narrowing the intestine. There may also be a feeling of incomplete evacuation. And you may also feel diffuse abdominal pain, rectal pain, or bleeding in the stool. However, this is not decisive, since blood in the stool can also have another cause, such as the presence of hemorrhoids. The important thing is to consult it quickly.

7. White spots or sores in the mouth

How to recognize them? Sores are sores with raised edges that appear on the sides of the tongue and on the underside of the tongue. Plaques are white or red spots on the tongue, tonsils, or the lining of the mouth.
What cancer can they indicate? It is not uncommon for sores or spots to appear from time to time on your lips, tongue or palate. But if they do not heal, they could be indicating mouth cancer.
Why happens? Tobacco is the main cause of the appearance of these carcinogenic lesions. Together with alcohol abuse, they are the cause of 85% of oral cancers.
What else could it be? The recurrent appearance of sores can be caused by a digestive disorder or oral candidiasis. To prevent canker sores it is best to avoid stress, eat well and take care of oral hygiene.
How to differentiate it? In addition to the lack of healing, be suspicious if you also feel that your lips feel numb, your teeth loosen, or a severe earache appears. And consult especially if the symptoms last more than two weeks.

8. Unusual vaginal bleeding

Why should you put us on alert? It is a bleeding that occurs at an unjustified moment , that is, when it is outside the bleeding days of the menstrual cycle or when the rule has already been withdrawn.
What cancers would it point to? During menopause there are usually sporadic bleeding but if these appear after this stage they could indicate cancers of the uterus, cervix or vagina.
Why it happens? The tumor itself is what causes this abnormal bleeding.
What else could it be? The causes can be many and do not have to be malignant. It may be endometriosis, that is, a growth of the tissue that lines the uterus that occurs abnormally outside of it. They can also be uterine polyps, which are usually benign. Stress, hormonal changes, the IUD, etc., can also cause it.
When to consult? It is advisable that you speak with your gynecologist when it occurs to ensure its origin.

9. Appearance of lumps

What type of lump should alert you? It is like a hard mass of fat, with irregular edges, that does not hurt and does not move if you pull the skin, but is rather anchored.
What cancers does it indicate? Many cancers can be felt through the skin, especially cancer of the breast, lymph nodes, or soft tissues (muscles, body fat, etc.).
Why happens? The lump is nothing more than the tumor itself that can be felt through the skin.
What else could it be? They can be lipomas (fatty lumps), cysts (air, fluid or pus), adenomas (grow in or around the glands), neurofibromas (benign tumors of the nerves), etc., which can occur anywhere of the body. In the breasts, in addition, it can be fibroadenomas, a benign tumor of the breast, and in the uterus, fibroids (benign tumors of the muscular tissue of the uterus).
When should I go to the doctor? Any newly emerging hard mass should raise your suspicions. And also any lump that grows quickly.
How to differentiate it? If you detect an immobile lump in your breasts that is like anchored in the tissue, see the doctor. And also if the size of your breasts has changed and now you have one much larger than the other, or if your nipples have reddened or secrete fluid. Watch if your skin changes color and if there is tightness in any area.

10. Difficulty swallowing

What can you notice? Discomfort when eating. When the problem comes from the esophagus , with hard foods such as bread, and not so much with liquids or soft foods. But if the origin is in the larynx , it can also bother drinking. In addition, you may feel retching, a choking sensation or a cough when you want to swallow.
What cancers to suspect? It can be a symptom of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or pharynx.
Why happens? One risk factor is smoking, which greatly increases the chance of developing cancer.
What else could it be? It may be due to gastroesophageal reflux that occurs when stomach contents back up into the esophagus. It is one of the most common digestive disorders, with 7% of the population experiencing reflux symptoms every day.
How to differentiate it? Consult your doctor if the difficulty in swallowing lasts for a long time and you do not know why it may be, if it is accompanied by pain in different areas of the throat and it seems to "burn" or if you find it difficult to speak or chew.

11. Persistent or bloody cough

How is it? It is a cough that does not go away and that can be accompanied by blood secretions.
What cancers does it indicate? It can be a sign of cancer of the lung or of the upper aerodigestive tracts such as the mouth, pharynx, larynx or esophagus.
Why happens? Tobacco is often behind the problem because it is rare that a chronic cough in a person who does not smoke can be related to lung cancer (unless they are a second-hand smoker, that is, they are regularly exposed to cigarette smoke of others). Also, the risk for recent smokers and former smokers is that they are used to having a cough and do not pay attention to it.
What else could it be? According to the American Cancer Society, some symptoms, such as a cough, are more likely to be caused by something other than cancer. Hundreds of diseases can cause coughs such as bronchitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux. It could also simply be a nervous tic.
How to differentiate it? The cough that causes a tumor is not different from the common cough but it is usually accompanied by blood or severe chest pain and these symptoms are used to occur periodically. Also notify your doctor if you notice that you find it difficult to breathe or wheezing appears.

12. Voice changes: rock, pain …

How is it? Voice changes or persistent hoarseness are noted that are apparently not caused by an infection.
What cancers does it indicate? It could indicate that there is a tumor in the larynx or in the lung.
Why happens? Most laryngeal cancers begin in the vocal cords, so a change in voice is an early warning symptom.
What else could it be? It could be a respiratory tract infection, laryngitis. It can also be due to the appearance of benign nodules in the throat, such as those that sometimes occur in the thyroid due to a hormonal imbalance. And it can be an infection of the respiratory tract such as laryngitis that if it lasts more than two weeks has become chronic.
How to differentiate it? See your doctor if the voice changes last more than 15 days. It is important to be attentive if, in addition to the change in voice, there is a cough with blood, a severe earache, or persistent hoarseness.

13. Persistent headache

How is it? It is a persistent headache. It can be given in the morning and relieved after vomiting. It can cause confusion, double vision, and even weakness. It can also be made worse by coughing or exercising.
What cancer does it indicate? Although rare, it could indicate the presence of a brain tumor.
Why happens? Tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also damage cells by causing inflammation, putting pressure on other parts of the brain, and increasing intracranial pressure, which causes headaches.
What else could it be? It could be mistaken for a migraine. A migraine attack can last up to 4 days and can also lead to vomiting, vision problems, etc.
How to differentiate it? Pain from a brain tumor lasts all day. It even prevents sleep. It tends to be sharper on one side of the head and becomes more unbearable every day. In addition, it is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as changes in behavior, difficulty concentrating or loss of balance.

14. Blood in urine

What do you have to detect? The amount may be very small or can be detected only with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the blood is visible. Then the toilet water turns pink or red or after urinating there are blood spots in the water.
What cancer can it alert to? Blood in the urine can indicate bladder cancer.
What can be the cause? The exact cause is unknown but it is known, for example, that smokers have twice the risk of non-smokers of suffering it.
What can it be confused with? Among many other causes, bloody urine may be due to a problem with the kidneys or some other part of the urinary tract, such as stones in the kidneys or bladder, or an infection or inflammation of these organs. Urine can also turn red from certain drugs, or from consuming beets or other foods.
When to go to the doctor? See if it also hurts to urinate, you need to do it very often and you have the feeling of wanting to go to the bathroom without being able to do so.

Knowing the symptoms of cancer saves lives

Did you know that one in seven people is unable to identify the symptoms of cancer? Well, this is what an investigation by the British organization Cancer Research UK ensures. This same report affirms that thousands of people die each year due to this ignorance. This is especially alarming, since according to the World Health Organization (WHO), most cancerous tumors can be cured if they are detected early. For this, this body also places special emphasis on the importance of recognizing the first warning signs to be able to reach an early diagnosis.

How cancer forms and why it can be found earlier

Contrary to popular belief, cancer can show symptoms of its presence long before entering an advanced stage. In fact, reactions are already produced in the body when a cancer begins to form, and these reactions give rise to symptoms that are what should put us on alert. But to get to relate having a fever or feeling more tired than normal with a possible cancer we must know how it forms. Bear in mind that while a normal cell divides and dies, a cancerous one does not and, as its multiplication goes out of control, it forms masses - tumors - that destroy and replace normal tissues. In doing so, these cells “use up” a lot of energy and nutrients from the body, which can lead precisely to the fever or fatigue that we said, but also to anemia or changes in weight, for example.

What to look for to detect a tumor early

But in addition to "feeding" on the body's resources, cancer cells can also release substances into the bloodstream that alter, for example, blood circulation or fluid balance, which can translate into leg pain or in a swelling. It is these alterations in our health that should make us suspect, especially when we cannot relate them to changes in our lifestyle or in our habitual diet and when they are repeated over and over again or do not yield. In these cases, a visit to the doctor can get us out of doubt.

Advice:

Dra. Pilar Garrido. President of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)