15 Common Cancer Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

It's easy to dismiss a minor ache or a persistent cough, but sometimes, what seems like a harmless inconvenience can be an early warning sign from your body. While many common symptoms have simple, benign explanations, some can subtly hint at something more serious, like cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1.6 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2014, with nearly 600,000 lives lost to the disease. Overlooking early symptoms can give cancer time to spread, making it harder to treat. That's why being aware of your body and recognizing persistent changes is so important.

Here are 15 common symptoms that, while often mundane, warrant a conversation with your doctor if they persist or worsen.

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Key Cancer Symptoms to Watch For:

1. Bleeding Between Periods (Women Only)

A bit of spotting or bleeding outside your normal menstrual cycle can be due to hormonal shifts, cervical inflammation, stress, or even blood thinners. However, if this irregular bleeding happens more than once, it's wise to have a physician check for the possibility of endometrial cancer in the uterus.

2. Persistent Bloating (Women Only)

Bloating is a common experience for many, especially women, often linked to diet, indigestion, PMS, or pregnancy. But persistent bloating, lasting longer than two weeks, or accompanied by bleeding and unexplained weight loss, should raise a red flag. These can be signs of ovarian cancer.

3. Changes in Your Testicles (Men Only)

Any new lump, swelling, pain, discomfort, or other noticeable change in a testicle should prompt an immediate visit to your doctor. These could indicate testicular cancer, which can progress quickly. Many doctors recommend that men aged 15 to 55 perform monthly self-examinations to detect any changes early.

4. Urinary Problems (Men Only)

As men age, an enlarged prostate gland is common and can cause symptoms like a frequent urge to pee (especially at night), difficulty starting urination, or a weak stream. However, these can also be symptoms of prostate cancer. It's important to consult your doctor to determine the cause.

5. Breast Changes

Breast cancer affects both men and women and can present with various signs. The American Cancer Society recommends close examination by a specialist if you notice any changes in breast structure, the appearance of lumps, or alterations in the skin or nipple. While these signs don't definitively mean cancer, they warrant prompt investigation. Don't overlook subtler indicators either, such as nipple discharge or skin dimpling.

6. Blood in Urine or Feces

Healthy digestion is crucial for a healthy life. If you experience discomfort during digestion and notice any redness or blood in your feces or urine, seek immediate medical attention. This is a common indicator of underlying issues, potentially signaling colon or kidney cancer.

7. Mole Changes

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. One of its most common indicators is the change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new one. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using the ABCDE method for evaluating moles:

• Asymmetry (one half doesn't match the other)
• Border (edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred)
• Color (the color is not uniform and may include shades of brown, black, or tan)
• Diameter (melanomas are usually greater than 6mm, though they can be smaller)
• Evolving (the mole changes in size, shape, color, or elevation, or any new symptom like bleeding, itching, or crusting appears)

8. Sudden, Unexplained Weight Loss

While losing weight effortlessly might sound appealing, significant weight loss without any changes to your diet or physical activity should be a concern, not a relief. While many explanations exist, it's crucial to rule out the possibility of pancreatic, lung, or stomach cancer.

9. Ongoing, Unexplained Pain

Pain can stem from countless conditions, but persistent, unexplained pain that lasts a month or longer needs medical attention. This type of chronic pain can sometimes signal bone, brain, or other cancers. Discuss any suspicious, prolonged pain with your doctor.

10. Unusual and Persistent Fatigue

Feeling tired in our busy world is normal. But if you experience persistent, overwhelming tiredness that doesn't improve with rest, even when you haven't exerted yourself, and it affects your daily life, it's worth investigating. This kind of fatigue can be a symptom of various cancers, including leukemia or colon cancer.

11. Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)

Occasional difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) due to a swollen or dry throat can happen. However, if you regularly struggle to ingest foods or liquids, this could be caused by cancer in the mouth, throat, or esophagus. Seek medical evaluation if this becomes a regular occurrence.

12. Persistent Cough

A cough is a very common symptom with numerous trivial causes. But when a cough persists for weeks and doesn't go away, it's time to voice your concern. If you experience pain or shortness of breath with the cough, or if you cough up blood, seek immediate medical attention. Smokers should be particularly vigilant, as a chronic cough is a typical sign of lung cancer.

13. Chronic Heartburn

For coffee lovers or fans of spicy food, heartburn might be a familiar battle. Others experience acid reflux due to biological predispositions. But if you've tried to alleviate your heartburn with lifestyle changes and remedies without success, it's important to find the root cause. Persistent heartburn can be an indicator of cancer in the esophagus, stomach, or even ovaries. Studies show that chronic heartburn may increase your odds of esophageal or throat cancer, requiring immediate attention.

14. Persistent Fever

Having a fever is a normal part of life, often signaling an infection. However, if a fever persists, is unexplained, or occurs frequently without a clear cause, it warrants medical investigation. A prolonged fever can be a foreshadowing symptom for many different types of cancers, including lymphoma and leukemia.

15. Changes in Lymph Nodes

Your lymphatic system plays a vital role in fighting infections and draining excess fluids, fats, and waste. Lymph nodes commonly swell in areas like the neck, groin, and underarms during infections. While often benign, persistent or unexplained swelling of lymph nodes can also be a symptom of certain cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma.

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See a Doctor Before You Worry

This list might seem daunting, but there's no need to panic right away. Each of these symptoms can be linked to far less serious ailments than cancer. The key message is to pay attention to your body and its persistent changes. Don't stress yourself out until you've been thoroughly evaluated by a healthcare professional. With a disease as serious as cancer, taking extra precautions and seeking timely medical advice when you feel skeptical about a symptom is always the best course of action.

Do any of these symptoms resonate with something you've been experiencing, or perhaps you have other health questions?