Warning: Don't Ignore These Commonly Ignored Cancer Signs

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cancer is responsible for approximately one-sixth of all global deaths. Cancer ranks among the top causes of mortality worldwide, with nearly 10 million lives lost to the disease in 2020. Common types of cancer include breast cancer, lung cancer, colon and rectal cancer, and prostate cancer. One significant challenge in treating cancer is the delayed diagnosis resulting from late detection of tumor growth. To familiarize yourself with frequently overlooked symptoms of cancer in both men and women, please read the article below:

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Fatigue: A Classic Indicator of Cancer

Fatigue is a classic indicator of cancer. Individuals affected by cancer often experience extreme weakness, lethargy, and a profound lack of energy. This fatigue gradually intensifies, eventually reaching a point where it becomes difficult for the person to get out of bed.

The American Cancer Society describes this fatigue as a feeling of extreme weakness, listlessness, exhaustion, or being "washed out." It may diminish temporarily but returns persistently. Some individuals may feel too tired to eat, walk to the bathroom, or even operate a TV remote.

Cognitive and physical abilities can be impaired, and minimal activity can be exhausting. For certain cancer patients, this type of fatigue can be more distressing than pain, nausea, vomiting, or depression (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Cancer-related fatigue--mechanisms, risk factors, and treatments

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Weight Loss: An Early Sign of Cancer

Unexplained weight loss is one of the initial signs of cancer that often goes unrecognized. If you suddenly experience weight loss without any other apparent cause, it is advisable to undergo medical testing (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Weight loss as a predictor of cancer in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Skin Rash: A Potential Clue for Leukemia

Leukemia patients commonly experience skin-related issues, such as a rash caused by the rupture of small blood vessels beneath the skin. Disturbances in the composition of blood cells lead to various changes in the skin (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Leukemia Cutis

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Eye Pain: An Initial Warning of Eye Cancer

Stabbing eye pain serves as an early indication of malignant growth in the eyes. Unfortunately, this pain is frequently overlooked and considered less serious (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Cancer and orofacial pain

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Headaches: A Warning Sign of Brain Tumors

Patients diagnosed with cancer often experience recurring headaches that progressively worsen over time. Any unusual headache patterns should be carefully monitored, as they can be an early sign of a brain tumor (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Update on headache and brain tumors

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Painful Menstruation: A Possible Symptom of Endometrial Cancer

While menstrual periods can be painful, sudden heavy bleeding and unbearable pain during this time should be medically evaluated. These symptoms are commonly observed in individuals with endometrial cancer (6^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Endometrial Cancer

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Breast Changes: Important Indications for Breast Cancer

Women face a higher risk of developing breast cancer. To detect breast cancer in its early stages, self-examination is crucial. One of the major changes associated with breast cancer is alterations in the nipple or breast, including changes in shape, inversion, or deviation (7^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Breast Cancer

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Other Signs to Be Aware Of

In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, it is important to be mindful of other potential indicators of cancer, such as swelling in the testicles, difficulty in swallowing and eating, gastrointestinal issues, wheezing, chronic bloating, changes in bowel movements, erectile problems, urinary difficulties, unexplained fever, and changes in fingernail appearance.

To conclude,
“Stay Vigilant: Ignoring Cancer Signs is Risking Your Health.”

References:

1. Cancer-related fatigue--mechanisms, risk factors, and treatments - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25113839/)
2. Weight loss as a predictor of cancer in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29632004/)
3. Leukemia Cutis - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541136/)
4. Cancer and orofacial pain - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27694791/)
5. Update on headache and brain tumors - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33249916/)
6. Endometrial Cancer - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525981/)
7. Breast Cancer - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482286/)

Source-Medindia