Detecting cancer at an early stage increases the chances of having successful cancer treatment. Currently, there are two ways of detecting cancer: screening and understanding possible warning signs.
It’s effortless to treat cancer at its first initial stages before it advances. Some symptoms give you an early warning. Hence, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. However, some of the symptoms are vague changes. Thus, most people tend to ignore them without understanding the level of risk they are putting themselves at. However, below is a list of the warning signs of cancer.
1. Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without any struggle or plan is known as unexplained weight loss. Most women love it when they reduce some pounds out of their bodies. However, losing more than 10 pounds gradually without healthy workouts or changes in diet will signal a call for alarm.
At times, weight loss might be caused by stress or thyroid. But to be on the safe side, it’s advisable to seek medical assistance. In some cases, unexplained weight loss might be a sign of colon, pancreatic, lung, or stomach cancer. However, to clarify if you have cancer, the doctor may ask you to have a PET or CT scan.
Taking necessary actions after identifying possible warnings can be a first action in fighting the disease. Furthermore, acquiring necessary treatments from oncologists in Hong Kong can be of great importance. Cancer causes various subtle and non-subtle symptoms. Some symptoms develop early while others develop after cancer builds up for some time.
2. Mouth changes and trouble while swallowing
If you are a regular smoker or addicted to smoking tobacco, then you must be on the outlook for a grey, yellow, red, or white patches on your lips or inside your mouth. At times, you might also develop canker sores in your mouth. Such symptoms are usually signals of Oral cancer. And if you experience such symptoms, its better you seek medical assistance.
However, at times you might experience trouble while swallowing. Experiencing such a problem might not be a significant threat to you. However, if you encounter such difficulties and at the same time, you notice unexplained weight loss and vomiting, you should visit the doctor. Such symptoms always portray the presence of stomach or throat cancer.
3. Breast Changes or a lump present in the body
Most women encounter breast lumps, but at most times, they are not cancer-related. However, its always advisable to check in with your doctor and let them know about changes in nipples, skin puckering, nipple discharge, and scaling of breast skin or nipple. This will aid in the early identification of breast cancer. However, most women survive breast cancer if it’s detected and treated early. For men, they might experience a lump on their testicles. Thus men should perform a regular testicular self-examination.
4. Persistent hoarseness or cough
Such symptoms indicate either laryngeal cancer or lung cancer. Laryngeal cancer usually is a cancer of the throat. However, in the early stages, these two types of cancer are typically silent. Hence, it gives no warning to patients, nor do they show signs during examinations and tests.
However, others may note a prolonged cough, but others may not. If you are a persistent smoker and you notice such changes, then it is advisable if you seek medical assistance. However, it’s sad to say that most lung cancers are incurable. However, throat cancer is curable if it’s identified in the early stages.
5. Unusual discharge or bleeding
If you find yourself having an abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, it might be a symptom of uterus cancer. However, it is curable if noticed in the early stages. It’s usually better if you talk to your doctor if you experience bleeding for two or more days.
6. Pain and depression
At initial stages, cancer doesn’t cause pain or aches. However, continuous pain that lasts months can be a symbol of brain or bone cancer. If you encounter depression, it might be a result of pancreatic cancer.
