Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

• No matter your age or health, it’s good to know the signs of cancer. By themselves, they aren’t enough to diagnose the disease. But they can provide clues to you and your doctor so that you can find and treat it as soon as possible. Treatment works best when your cancer is still small and hasn’t spread. Early treatment gives you a better shot at curing your cancer.  
• To be clear: These symptoms don’t always mean cancer. There are plenty of common ailments that can make you feel this way. That’s why you go to the doctor -- to take to take a closer look at your health and take action.
  Pain: Bone cancer and testicular cancer often hurt from the beginning. Some brain tumors cause headaches that last for days and don’t get better with treatment. Pain can also be a late sign of cancer, so it’s good to see a doctor if you don't know why you have it or it doesn’t go away.
  Weight loss without trying: It’s common to lose weight when you have cancer. It’s often one of the first signs of the disease. Almost half the people with cancer lose weight by the time they get diagnosed.

• Men: What to Watch Out For

  The three most common cancers in men are prostate, lung, and colorectal. Keep an eye out for:

  Changes in your testicles or penis:  Tell your doctor if you have pain or notice a lump, redness, or a change in size or shape.

  Cough or hoarseness that won’t go away: See the doctor if a cough is severe, lasts more than 3 weeks, or you see blood when you cough.

  Trouble peeing: A swollen prostate can make it hard to go, or it may make you have to go a lot. Tell your doctor if you have pain when you pee or blood in your urine. 

  Change in bowel habits. Diarrhea or constipation that lasts for more than 4 weeks can be a sign of colorectal cancer. Blood in your poop isn’t normal. Tell your doctor.

  Women: What to Watch Out For

  The types that affect women most are breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. Women can also have cancer of the uterus, endometrium, cervix, vagina, or vulva. Keep an eye out for:

  Bleeding or discharge: Get checked out if it happens between periods or after menopause. Endometrial cancer often makes you bleed when you shouldn’t.

  Changes in appetite: Ovarian cancer can make you feel full or make it hard to eat. Other cancers that only women get can cause indigestion or nausea. Cancer isn’t the only illness that brings on changes in your appetite, but keep it in mind if you’ve had trouble eating for 2 weeks or longer.

  Belly pain: Gas, indigestion, pressure, and cramps can all signal ovarian cancer. Pain and pressure in your pelvic area could be linked to endometrial cancer.

  Bloating: A swollen, bloated tummy that isn’t linked to PMS can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.               

  Breast changes: Tell the doctor if:

  • Your breasts feel different.
  • You find lumps.
  • You notice sudden changes in size.
  • You have discharge from your nipples.
  • You see spots or other changes in the skin around your nipples.