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American Association for Cancer Support’s publications are for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.
The Initial Symptoms of Cancer- by Jula Connatser/American Cancer Support Org. – Download Brochure
The followings symptoms are signs of cancer – signs indicate that you may have cancer in different organs of the body!
1. Cervical Cancer
Symptoms: bleeding from the vagina that is not the normal monthly cycle time; abnormal pain and bleeding after sex; vaginal discharge; advanced symptoms may include swelling of one or both legs; back or pelvic pain; difficulty urinating or defecating because of obstruction; fatigue and weight loss. Cervical cancer is now considered the easiest female cancer to prevent.
2. Cancer in Blood or Leukemia
Symptoms: have fevers or night sweats; swollen lymph nodes that normally do not hurt, especially lymph nodes in the neck or armpits; frequent infections; bleeding and bruising easily without knowing the cause such as bleeding gums; having tiny red spots under the skin or purplish patches in the skin; feeling weak or tired and looking more pale than usual; weight loss quickly unintentionally; swelling or discomfort in the abdomen from a swollen spleen or liver. People with chronic leukemia may not have symptoms.
3. Lung Cancer
Symptoms: cough and mucus and blood mixed with saliva; shortness of breath with activity; repeated infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis; reducing weight unintentionally; aching in shoulder, back, chest, or arm; other abnormal symptoms or signs of general decline in health.
4. Liver Cancer
Symptoms: losing weight without trying; upper abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; an enlarged liver; pain, abdominal swelling; yellow discoloration of skin and the whites of eyes; white or chalky stools; general weakness and fatigue; loss of appetite.
5. Bladder Cancer
Symptoms: change in bladder habits such as feeling the strong urge to urinate without producing much urine or having to urinate very often; blood in the urine; pain or burning during urination without any evidences of urinary tract infection.
6. Brain Cancer
Symptoms: have long- lasting headaches together with nausea accompanied with blurry vision; feeling weak and clumsy; having difficulty walking; having seizures; changed mental status such as changes in concentration, alertness, memory, or attention; having difficulty with speech.
7. Oral Cancer
Symptoms: swelling in the mouth; there are developments of velvety red, white spots in the mouth; persistent sores or abnormal numbness; loss of feeling or feel sore and tender in any area of the mouth, neck or facial area; unexplained oral bleeding that do not heal within two weeks; having difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw; experienced a soreness or feel that something is in the back of the throat; hoarseness or change in voice; chronic sore throat; experienced some changes in the way teeth or dentures fit together; unexplained ear pain; unintentionally weight loss.
8. Uterus Cancer
Symptoms: feel lump(s) or swelling in the body with abdominal pain; bleeding after sex; abnormal vaginal bleeding. Bleeding may start very watery then the blood stream flows increasingly.
9. Stomach Cancer
Symptoms, weight decreases quickly without trying to lose weight; vomiting mixes with blood or discharged blood in the stool; abnarmal upset stomach or indigestion that includes a burning sensation or abnormal heartburn; discomfort or pain in the abdomen or a lump or tumor in the abdominal area; weakness and fatigue; loss of appetite; have stomach bloating after meals. Early stomach cancer is difficult to detect.
10. Breast Cancer
Symptoms: a lump in the underarm area; swelling of entirely or part of the breast; breast or nipple pain or the nipple turns inward; a nipple discharge other than breast milk; some redness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin.
11. Colon Cancer
Symptoms: weight decreases rapidly unintentionally; stomach pain and abnormal digestion; blood mixed in stool; experienced change in skin color (yellow skin color) and the eye color changed (turn white); extreme tiredness or unexplained fatigue; low red blood cell count or low iron in the red blood cells
12. Ovarian Cancer
Symptoms: monthly menstruation is not consistent or abnormal aching; severe lower back pain, nausea, tiredness, and bleeding after many years of not having a period; problem(s) with the intestines; upset indigestion symptoms; unintentionally weight reduction and back pain.
13. Non-specific type of cancer
Broad symptoms for nonspecific type of cancer may include:
•Unintentional Weight Loss: When 10 pounds of weight or more are lost unintentionally; it is a major sign that you are facing some type of illness. Even though weight loss can be good news, it is still necessary to consult your doctor. Extreme weight loss can be a symptom of cancer.
•Chronic Cough: A cough that is persistent with some mixtures of mucus and blood needs to be diagnosed by doctors. Chronic cough with mucus and/or blood can be a symptom of lung cancer disease.
•Pain: Pain, normally, is not an early symptom of cancer, except the type of cancer that spreads to the bone. In most cases pain occurs when cancer spreads to advanced levels and begins to affect other organs and nerves functions.
•Shoulder pain can be one of the symptoms of lung cancer.
•Persistent Fatigue: Fatigue is the most common of cancer symptom experiences, especially when the cancer is more advanced even though it appears in the early stages of some cancers.
•Pain in the form of headaches can be associated with brain cancer or brain tumors.
•Lower back pain. Persistent and abnormal back pain can be a cancer symptom that may be associated with colon cancer or ovarian cancer.
•Bowel Changes: If you experience constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stools, gas, thinner stools, or just a general change in bowel habits, see your doctor. These symptoms are most commonly associated with colon cancer but are also related to other cancer types.
•Stomach pains that happen persistently and frequently can be related to different types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer and stomach cancer.
• Persistent and frequent fever is a very nonspecific symptom of many mild to severe illnesses that may include cancer. Fevers are commonly related with types of cancer that affects the blood such as lymphoma and leukemia. Fevers are also common in people whose cancer has spread to advanced stages.
Keep in your mind that these symptoms of cancer are very vague. If you have one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, it is not a red flag indicating that you have cancer, but it is a sign for you to visit your doctor to run certain medical tests as soon as possible.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any signs or symptoms that worry you!!
American Association for Cancer Support’s publications are for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.******
Oral Cancer Self-Examination Early Detaction a Must
By Shockley, Johnna DMD – Comprehensive Dentistry
First the grim, then the good… Did you know that more people die from oral cancers than skin cancer? And because two-thirds of oral cancers are discovered in the late stages of the disease, prognosis is poor – the 5-year survival rate is a frightening 50%. It is imperative, therefore, that oral cancer is detected early, before the disease advances.
With each recall appointment you have with us, we always keep a keen eye for telltale signs like lumps and discoloration, and for suspicious areas or roughness or of any change whatsoever. We check your whole mouth (the top of the tongue and underneath, your lips, cheek lining, and gums). To help your dentist, make sure you play an active role in early detection too. Make it a habit to “know your mouth” and regularly examine it for any changes.
1. Lift your upper lip and check for discoloration or sores on your lips and gums. Then repeat for your lower lip.
2. Check your inner cheeks for white, red, or dark patches. Use your finger to feel the cheek surface for lumps or roughness.
3. Look at the roof of your mouth. Any changes?
4. Check your tongue – top, side, and bottom – for any color changes or swelling.
If you find an area of concern, call your doctor right away. And always remember, like we do … the first step in prevention and successful treatment is awareness.
Visit Comprehensive Dentistry Website
American Association for Cancer Support’s publications are for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.
Cancer in the News
- Melanoma Breakthrough Drug: Dr. Richard Besser explains the latest advances in cancer research. ABC News
- Vitamin D Research: Maggie Rodriguez spoke with Dr. Jennifer Ashton about new research that suggests a daily dose of Vitamin D may help to significantly lower cancer risk.
Initial Symptoms of Cancer
