Early Signs of Cancer You Should Never Ignore

You often hear news of someone losing their loved ones to cancer. Even the prince and princess of the British Empire were impacted. This shows cancer doesn’t differentiate between the rich and the poor.

It can develop due to many reasons: genetic mutations, environmental factors, smoking, a high-fat diet, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc. That’s why paying attention to changes in your body’s function is more important than ever. Your body often signals these changes through warning signs of cancer.

However, you are not the right person to decide whether these symptoms are cancer-associated; only a qualified healthcare professional can do that.

In this blog, you’ll learn about the common early signs/symptoms of cancer. As they say, “Cancer can be managed when detected at an early stage.”

But first, let's have a basic understanding of cancer and how it originates in the body.

What is Cancer, and How Can it Develop in Your Body?

Cancer is a disease where the normal cells in your body grow in an uncontrolled manner. The cells don’t act like they should normally. Normal cells die after completing their time span.

But the cancerous cells refuse to die; instead, they tend to multiply and can form tumours. These uncontrolled cells can spread to other regions of the body to interrupt normal functions. The body gets out of sync.

How Does Cancer Develop in Your Body?

Let's understand it with a simple sequence:

The body undergo daily changes (330 billion cells are replaced per day)> Some changes are good and some are bad (known as ERROR)> Body’s immune system rectifies the error or uncontrolled cell growth> If failed to correct may be due to environmental conditions or unhealthy lifestyle habits> Again, takes years to rectify the error> Again, IF FAILED> Leads to precancerous stage> Uncontrolled cell growth> Cancer.

Note: (This is a generalised explanation to simplify the complex process. This is not an exact representation of the cancer growth mechanism.)

During these stages, your body can give you hints at warning signs of cancer. This is why you need to observe any changes in your body and consult your doctor for early detection.

Warning Signs of Cancer: Do Not Overlook Them

Early Warning Signs in Adults (Male or Female):

1. Fever (refuses to go away)
A constant state of low fever that, even without flu or infection, can indicate that the body might be fighting against something more serious, like a cancerous growth.

2. Altered Toilet Habits (unusual)
Sudden changes in poo, such as diarrhoea, constipation, or the presence of blood in stool. They could be linked to abnormal cell growth in the bowel.

3. Cough (does not go away)
A constant cough, along with a rough, hoarse voice that lasts for weeks, might be due to uncontrolled cell growth in the lungs, throat, or voice box.

4. A Lump (at any part of the body)
The presence of a lump that grows, changes, or feels hard may indicate a tumour. Visit a doctor for a proper examination.

5. Bleeding or Bruising (without any reason)
Bleeding in stool, urine, or coughing up blood, or easy bruising, might indicate cancerous growth in the blood or organs.

6. Difficulty in Swallowing (persistent or painful)
If it’s hard to swallow food or drinks, it can be due to something (maybe a tumour) blocking your throat or food pipe.

7. Changes in the Skin (new moles, sores, or colour changes)
New moles or changes in the size, shape, or colour of old ones, or skin that looks unusual. It should be checked; sometimes this can indicate skin cancer.

8. Pain (that is ongoing)
Pain that doesn’t leave your side, especially in one particular area (such as bones or stomach). This might happen if cancer is pressing on nerves, or it can be spreading.

9. Fatigue (tired all the time)
Experiencing weakness or feeling drained even after resting or sleeping well. This could happen if the body is fighting an illness such as cancer.

10. Weight loss (unexplained)
Reduction in weight quickly, that too without dieting or exercising. It could be because something (such as cancer cells) inside your body is utilising the energy and nutrients.

It is important to note that childhood cancers are different from those in adults. The type of cancer, how it spreads, and the treatments used also vary.

In adults, cancers like breast, lung, prostate, and colon are more common. In children, cancers of the blood (leukaemia), brain, adrenal glands, bones, and lymph system are more common.

That’s why the warning signs in children may not be the same as in adults.

Early Cancer Warning Signs in Paediatric

1. Leukaemia (cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues)
Common Signs: Bone/joint pain, fatigue and weakness, bleeding and unexplained weight loss

2. Brain Tumours
Common Signs: Headaches, balance problems, frequent vomiting, vision, hearing or speech problems

3. Neuroblastoma (nerve tissue cancer)
Common Signs: Impaired ability to walk, changes in eyes, diarrhoea.

4. Wilms Tumour (kidney cancer)
Common Signs: Nausea, pain, poor appetite and swelling or lump in the belly

5. Lymphoma (immune system cancer)
Common Signs: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin, sweat, weakness, etc.

Note: signs and symptoms of cancer listed above are general indicators. They may or may not (could be an indicator of other non-cancerous health issues) be associated with cancer. They are not meant to diagnose any disease/condition. Always consult your healthcare provider for a proper evaluation and an accurate diagnosis.

Summary

Your body is an incredible machine designed so that you live a healthy, long, and fit life. You just need to give your body proper sleep, nutritious food, exercise, and rest. If there is abnormal growth, it will tell you through early signs and symptoms of cancer. All you need to be a good listener to the symptoms of your body. If there is something wrong, consult a healthcare professional for timely guidance and early detection.