Early signs of cancer can be difficult to recognize, as they often resemble less serious conditions.
However, early detection is crucial for successful treatment and recovery. Here are the most common early warning signs of some of the most widespread cancer types.
Breast cancer
Early symptoms may include swelling in part of the breast, skin that resembles orange peel, breast pain, nipple changes or discharge, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Regular screenings and self-examinations are key to early detection.
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Lung cancer
This cancer type causes the highest number of cancer-related deaths.
Persistent coughing, coughing up blood, frequent lung infections, hoarseness, chest pain, and shortness of breath can all be early warning signs.
Many mistake these for effects of smoking or common respiratory infections.
Prostate cancer
Primarily affecting men over 40, prostate cancer may cause pain or burning during urination, frequent nighttime urination, blood in urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, or difficulty starting and stopping urination.
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When detected early, survival rates are nearly 100 %.
Colorectal cancer
Often developing after the age of 50, colorectal cancer can cause changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Regular screenings can detect and remove precancerous growths before they develop further.
Skin melanoma
Although melanoma accounts for only a small percentage of skin cancer cases, it causes most related deaths.
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Warning signs include new or changing moles, non-healing sores, color changes, redness, itching, pain, or bleeding.
Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is often detected early because its symptoms are more visible.
They include blood in urine, frequent or painful urination, nighttime urination, or a persistent urge to urinate even with an empty bladder.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
This cancer starts in the lymphatic system. Early signs include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal swelling.
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Symptoms often resemble common infections but tend to persist over time.
Kidney cancer
Frequently discovered by chance during scans, early symptoms can include persistent flank pain, a lump in the lower back, anemia, unexplained weight loss, fever without infection, and swelling in legs or ankles.
Uterine cancer
Uterine or endometrial cancer often shows early signs such as bleeding after menopause, irregular bleeding, and pelvic pain.
Hormonal changes, obesity, and previous cancer diagnoses can increase risk.
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Leukemia
A slow-developing blood cancer, leukemia’s early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, night sweats, frequent infections, headaches, shortness of breath, red spots under the skin, swollen lymph nodes, and enlarged liver or spleen.
Pancreatic cancer
Although usually diagnosed late, early symptoms may involve dark urine, itchy skin, digestive issues, pain in the upper abdomen or back, weight loss, and blood clots.
This cancer progresses rapidly and requires prompt medical attention.
Thyroid cancer
Symptoms may include fatigue, hoarseness, swelling in the neck, persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, or ear pain.
Any solid lump in the neck should be evaluated by a doctor.
Liver cancer
Early signs of liver cancer can include upper right abdominal pain, swelling, jaundice, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, fever, and an enlarged spleen or liver.
This article is based on information from Verywell Health.