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Do You Have Any Of These 13 Cancer Symptoms?
Over the next two decades there will be around 22 million new cancer cases each year. 30% of these could
be reduced through early detection or by avoiding key risk factors.
Hearing the words you have cancer is enough to strike fear
into anyone.
Unfortunately, for many, the diagnosis can come too late with
secondary tumours having already spread to other organs in
the body.
Its a fact, many people only find out that they have cancer
during a routine check-up.
Pick up any newspaper and you will find countless stories
highlighting the very fact.
Cancer can lie undetected for months and in some cases
years before it is discovered.
Discovering cancer in its early stages can be a major factor in the prognosis for the patient. Being diagnosed
sooner rather than later means that the cancer is more easily treated. Early diagnosis can be difference between
life and death.
Nobody wants to get cancer, but sadly, its a fact that the majority of us will get the disease at some point in our
lives. Some of us due to poor diets and lifestyle; others due to hereditary factors.
So what can YOU, the potential cancer patient do to find the cancer early; and improve your chances of survival?
Primarily, by listening to your body and becoming more aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer. This will put
you firmly in the driving seat and help you to at least perform an initial self diagnosis.
In the following sections of this article, I will touch upon some of the most common signs and symptoms associated
with cancer.
Please understand though Just because you may have one of the symptoms below does NOT necessarily mean
that you have cancer.
Always seek medical advice if you are in any doubt and never be afraid to get a second opinion.
Blood in Your Urine
Having blood in your urine (Hematuria) is commonly associated with bladder cancer, but can sometimes be linked
to other forms of cancer such as kidney and prostate cancers.
Its important to note that there are varying degrees of blood in the urine. In some cases though, the blood can only
be seen under a microscope.
Sometimes the urine can be a brown colour, pink or red. When blood can be seen with the naked eye, this is
referred to as Gross Hematuria.
Hematuria can also be caused by certain medication, so check with your doctor first if you are on any form of
medication.
Other possible causes: Infection, kidney stones, kidney diseases, urinary tract infection (UTI), trauma, diabetes
or hypertension.
Blood in Your Bowel Motion or Change in Bowel Movement
If you discover blood in your stools (poo) it can be a sign of
bowel/colorectal cancer, but can be related to other areas of
the Gastrointestinal Tract. The gastrointestinal tract is made
up of a number of organs including the esophagus, stomach,
small and large intestines, duodenum, rectum and the anus.
Bleeding from the rectal area is also referred to as
gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
As a rule the darker the blood, the further up in the
gastrointestinal tract the bleeding has begun.
For example, bleeding from the anus or lower down in the
rectum is generally a brighter red and will not be mixed in with the faeces.
Blood that is mixed with the faeces and is of a darker red in colour, has usually begun further up in the GI tract,
possibly in the colon.
If the bleeding began in the stomach, duodenum or small intestine, the blood has further to travel; in which time it
turns a darker plum colour and is mixed with the faeces more.
If you do experience changes to your bowel movement or experience blood in your stools, you should contact your
health professional immediately.
Other possible causes: Diverticular disease, crohns disease, polyps, anal fissure, colitis, peptic ulcers,
angiodysplasia, hemorrhoids or some gut infections.
Lumps or Swellings
Lumps, bumps and swellings are commonly associated with cancer, but can also be due to less serious health
conditions.
The most common places to find lumps are in the testicles, breast, behind the ears, in the armpits or in the
abdomen. In fact, lumps and bumps of various sizes are quite common and can appear almost anywhere on the
body.
More often than not, these are cysts, rather than a cancerous growths.
If you do find a lump or swelling, it is always advisable to visit your doctor as soon as possible so it can be
checked out.
Other possible causes: Skin cysts, Lipomas, Folliculitis, Keratoacanthoma, Epidermoid cysts, Cherry angioma,
Dermatofibromas, Keratosis pilaris, Neurofibromas.
A Croaky or Hoarse Voice
If you develop a hoarseness in your throat or a croaky voice, it can often be a sign that something is not right. If it
persists for longer than a few days, it is important that you seek medical expertise as soon as possible.
Although a hoarse voice can be caused by more trivial illnesses such as the common cold, it can also be a sign of
more serious health issues.
A persistent hoarseness may be due to a number of cancers including cancer of the larynx, lung, thyroid or
lymphomas.
Other possible causes: Laryngitis, a cold, smoking, acid reflux, polyps, allergies, trauma, chest infection or
shouting/screaming.
Difficulty Swallowing
If you have trouble swallowing ( dysphagia) along with the
feeling that you have food stuck in your throat, it could be a
sign of esophageal cancer.
Over time, the esophagus may narrow and this leads to
discomfort when swallowing or when trying to eat solid food.
Your eating habits may also change and you may
unconsciously choose to eat softer foods.
Cancer of the esophagus may also lead to significant weight
loss as you are unable to eat enough solid food to maintain
your usual weight.
If you have problems swallowing and it persists for more than a couple of days, you should contact your doctor at
once so that it can be looked at.
Remember. Just because you have trouble swallowing does not mean you have cancer. It may just as likely be
down to something far less sinister.
Other possible causes: Dry throat, swollen throat, inflammation, allergic reaction, swollen tonsils, swollen tongue,
reflux/GERD or trapped food.
Breathlessness
A shortness of breath or dyspnoea is caused when the body does not get enough oxygen and your lungs try to
draw in more air in to compensate.
There are some cancers specifically associated with a shortness of breath such as lung cancer, esophageal
cancer and mesothelioma.
A lack of haemoglobin in our red blood cells prevents oxygen from being adequately moved around the body. This
is commonly referred to as anaemia and can also be a side-effect of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
If you do suffer with a sudden shortness of breath you should seek medical help straight away to rule out problems
with your heart and airways.
Other possible causes: Anaemia, chest infection, heart problems, pneumonia, asthma, panic attacks, anxiety,
obesity.
A Persistent Cough or Coughing Up Blood
We all have a cough from time to time and this can be brought on by anything from environmental pollution to a
common cold. When this is the case, the cough will normally subside after a few days.
Although having a cough is not usually anything to worry about, having a cough for many than two or three weeks
can be cause for concern.
Persistent coughing can be an early sign of lung cancer, so its important to get an appointment with your doctor as
soon as you can.
Other possible causes: Smoking, allergy, environment, cold, lung infection, infection in the airways, viral
infection, acid reflux, GERD
A Change In Size, Colour or Size of a Mole
Cases of skin cancer are most definitely on the rise. Checking yourself for signs of skin cancer is very easy to do
and should be done on a regular basis.
Any unusual small lumps, bumps or sores on your body could be the start of skin cancer.
If you have a mole that has changed in colour, shape, size or feel, this may be a sign of melanoma skin cancer.
Moles will usually have a defined edge and will be brown in colour.
If you do find any new sores, lumps or changes to existing moles that you contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Bear in mind though that there are a myriad of skin disorders that can produce a whole host of changes to our
skin.
Other possible causes: Sores, cysts, allergic reactions, psoriasis, hives, warts, eczema, shingles.
Sudden or Unexplained Weight Loss
Although gradual weight loss is perfectly normal, especially as we age, a sudden unexplained weight loss can be a
sign that something is wrong.
If you find that you lose 10 pounds or more in a short space of time, this may be the sign of esophageal, stomach,
pancreatic or lung cancer.
If such losses cannot be put down to an increase in physical exercise, diet or stress factors, it is important to speak
to your doctor.
Other possible causes: diet, physical exercise, stress, celiac disease, addisons disease, diabetes, HIV, AIDS,
hyperthyroidism, parkinsons, peptic ulcers.
Persistent Indigestion
When a buildup of acid escapes from the stomach, it is
pushed up into the esophagus causing the symptoms
associated with indigestion.
Occasional bouts of indigestion or acid reflux are common and
are usually nothing to be concerned about.
If you find that you are getting indigestion more than you
should, this could be due to a more serious underlying health
issue such as stomach cancer.
Other possible causes: Obesity, hiatus hernia, GERD, peptic
ulcer.
Difficulty Passing Urine
When you have trouble passing urine, this is referred to as urinary hesitancy.
Many older men have an enlarged prostate which in turn causes problems when urinating such as having a weak
urine flow, dribbling or problems starting.
In women, a difficulty in passing urine can be caused by a number of more trivial issues such as urinary tract
infection or cystitis.
For men, it can be a sign of more serious health problems such as prostate cancer which causes a prostate tumor
to put pressure on the urethra. It could also be a sign of bladder cancer.
Other possible causes: Medicine, diabetes, prostate infection, urinary tract infection, cystitis, dehydration,
surgical side-effects.
Persistent Bloating
If you feel bloated most days for three weeks or more, it could be a guide idea to speak with your doctor.
For women, this could an early sign of ovarian cancer.
It can also be the sign of other forms of cancer such as colon or stomach cancer.
Other possible causes: Obesity, pregnancy, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, coeliac disease, pre-
menstruation.
A Persistent Headache
We all have headaches from time to time and are usually a result of minor conditions such as dehydration, sinus
problems or tension.
In cases where a headache lasts for a prolonged period or comes on suddenly and seems very severe you should
contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Also, if you getting regular headaches over the cause of a week or are taking too many painkillers to combat the
pain, you should consult your doctor.
Most headaches are not usually a cause for concern, but in worst case scenario, can be caused by a brain tumor.
Other possible causes: tension, stress, sinus problems, dehydration, caffeine withdrawals, migraine, medication,
cold/flu, allergic reaction, menopause, hormones.
According to the World Health Organization the five leading causes of cancer are
1
High body mass index
Low fruit and vegetable intake
Lack of physical exercise
Tobacco use
Alcohol use
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, with over 8 million deaths attributed to the disease each year.
The question is; How many of these deaths can be prevented if they are discovered early enough?
In 2012, there were around 14 million cancer cases each year. Over the next 20 years, these numbers are
expected to rise to a staggering 22 million annual cases!
1
By understanding the risk factors and early signs of cancer above, you can help yourself to stay cancer free or at
the very least, help dramatically prolong your own life.
If you do have cancer and wish to take the alternative/complimentary route, I would strongly suggest visiting
the Budwig Center website which has a wealth of information on natural cancer treatments.
1. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/