The reality is that there are no weird symptoms. Lump is found to be a cyst. A cough is a cough! There are some things that your body does and sometimes they're weird and 9 times out of 10, there's a boring, harmless reason behind it.
But, sometimes one of these warning early signs of cancer is trying to tell you something and the whole idea of catching cancer early is that treatment is more effective and life is easier. This list is not to frighten you. It's here for you to know what you should go to the doctor for, and what you should go to the store for.
Before we begin, here is a thing to remember: No item or treatment listed here is a diagnosis. It's only a doctor who will be able to tell you what's really happening. These warning signs of cancer are a call to action, rather than a death sentence.
1. You're losing weight and you didn't try to
However, if the scale just continues to drop and you haven't started to run marathons and change your diet, watch out. One of the more familiar early symptoms of cancer, which are often raised, is losing 5% of your body weight, for no apparent reason, over a few months. This is one symptom that people are generally the first to be pleased with, and that's why it is the last symptom to be noticed.
2. You're tired in a way sleep doesn't fix
Getting a restful night's sleep clears up normal tired. This kind doesn't. If you are feeling exhausted after weeks of sleeping and eating and still feel tired, it's a good idea to let a doctor know, particularly if it is accompanied by any of the other symptoms listed above.
3. A lump that just won't leave
The majority of lumps are of no significance; swollen glands, a cyst, a piece of scar tissue. But one that persists for more than a few weeks, particularly if it doesn't hurt, should be given a thorough examination. Don't wait it out. Doctors would like to see lumps in the breast and neck, underarm or groin area sooner than later.
4. Your skin is doing something new
A mole that has altered in appearance, size, or color. A sore that doesn't heal, particularly in a sunny area. These should be given a dermatologist's opinion after all; examining your own skin every couple of months is quite a cheap trick that catches a lot.
5. A cough or hoarse voice that won't quit
If your cough lasts for three weeks or longer, especially if you smoke or used to smoke it's time to be checked. The same applies to a hoarse voice which never gets better.
6. Something's changed with your bathroom habits
Even if it's uncomfortable to talk about, if you have had constipation, diarrhea or a change in your bowel movements that lasts for more than a couple weeks, it's important to mention. This is a topic with which doctors deal every day and there's no need to be embarrassed. This applies to any alterations of urination that aren't directly attributed to infection (such as a need to urinate more often or discomfort that is not due to infection).
7. Bleeding that has no clear reason
Blood in your stool or urine. Unexpected vaginal bleeding. If it occurs again, talk about it on the first occasion, no matter how trivial it may be. Almost always there is a discoverable cause of bleeding and it is usually a quick reassuring visit either way.
8. Swallowing feels hard, or indigestion won't quit
Don't assume that it's "just acidity" if food continues to get stuck in your throat or if you've had stomach problems for weeks and antacids simply aren't reaching them. There are times when it's simply the acidity. However, if it persists, then there's no need to consider anything more.
9. Pain that sticks around and doesn't explain itself
It's perfectly fine to have a little pain here and there. If the pain persists for weeks, is always in the same location and doesn't go away with rest, it is not the same. There are several of the more common ones to mention, such as bone pain and persistent headaches.
10. Fevers or night sweats that come out of nowhere
Body temperature above normal without any infections. Excessive sweating at night, to the point of getting through a night's sleep in a wet shirt. These on their own are typically indications of something mundane. However, if they do not resolve after a few weeks, it may be a good idea to discuss them with your doctor, as they can sometimes be associated with blood cancer such as lymphoma.
So when do you actually need to see a doctor?
If the symptom persists for over two or three weeks, if there is no apparent cause or if it occurs with another symptom on this list, then it's time to get it checked. That's it. It's not something that has to get to a bad stage; it's not a three-week time consuming Google-ing of symptoms at 1 a.m. Weekly worry is no faster cure for the ailment than an instant appointment, every time.
The Bottom Line
This isn't the worst case scenario. The majority of these symptoms will all prove to be something normal, a stomach bug, stress or simply bad timing with your body. However, knowing this list is important is not meant to cause you to worry more, but to worry less and do more when it really matters and you are in the rare position to catch it early.
Jagrani Hospital's Cancer Care Centre has the skillful hands of experienced oncologists and proper diagnostic facilities at its service so you don't have to wait for referrals. For the best oncologist in Lucknow, one visit would be enough to either rule out the problem or detect it at an early stage, either way it is a good outcome.
