Early symptoms of cancer are often overlooked because they are not typical and are similar to the symptoms of other diseases. In fact, the sooner cancer is detected, the higher the success rate of treatment. Come on, look at what the early symptoms of cancer need to be aware of.
Cancer does not always start with typical symptoms. Most new cancers show symptoms when they are in an advanced stage or when they have spread to other organs. Therefore, it is important for us to be aware of things that may be early symptoms of cancer.
Various Early Symptoms of Cancer
Complaints that can be early symptoms of cancer are common and are often symptoms of other diseases. Even so, you should check with your doctor if you experience it. Here are some of them:
1. Excessive fatigue
Excessive fatigue is one of the most common early symptoms of cancer. This can happen because cancer cells use nutrients in the body to develop, so nutrients cannot be converted into energy. This is what causes cancer patients to feel very tired.
Immediately consult a doctor if you feel fatigue that does not go away even though you have reduced activity and have had enough rest.
2. Weight loss drastically
Weight loss in cancer patients occurs because healthy body cells are constantly attacked by cancer cells. This weight loss usually occurs quickly and for no apparent reason.
This condition is often an early symptom of pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, and stomach cancer.
3. Fever
Generally, fever is the body's response to infection. However, fever can also be an early symptom of cancer, such as lymphoma, leukemia, kidney cancer, and liver cancer. Fever like this usually occurs at night with a body temperature of around 38 degrees Celsius.
4. Bleeding
Bleeding can also be one of the early symptoms of cancer. Some types of cancer, such as colon cancer and anal cancer, can cause blood to appear during bowel movements. Whereas in prostate cancer or bladder cancer, blood can appear when urinating.
Sometimes bleeding can also occur in internal organs, making it more difficult to detect. Also, be aware if you experience bleeding when coughing or vomiting, as well as bleeding from the vagina that occurs outside of your menstrual period.
5. Changes in the skin
Changes in the skin you need to watch out for, because this could be an early symptom of cancer. A mole that changes shape to asymmetrical, irregular edges, changes color, gets bigger, feels itchy, hard and bleeds, can also be a sign of skin cancer.
In addition, be aware of other changes in the skin, such as jaundice, hyperpigmentation or dark patches, abnormal hair or hair growth, and redness of the skin.
6. Lumps on limbs
Get checked immediately if you feel a lump on a limb, especially one that feels hard and is getting bigger. The reason is, lumps on the limbs can be an early symptom of cancer.
A lump in the breast, for example, can be a sign of breast cancer. Meanwhile, a lump in the neck, due to swollen lymph nodes, can be an early symptom of thyroid cancer, oral cancer, throat cancer, and cancer of the larynx (voice box).
7. Cough that doesn't go away
A cough that does not go away should be watched out for as an early symptom of lung cancer.
It's a good idea to see a doctor if you have a cough that doesn't go away for more than 3 weeks, which is also accompanied by chest pain, weight loss, hoarseness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, especially if you are a smoker.
8. Digestive disorders
Some types of cancer can cause sufferers to experience various digestive problems. Head and neck cancer, for example, can cause difficulty swallowing while eating. Then, colon cancer can cause decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and constipation.
9. Night sweats
Sweating at night is normal, but if it occurs every day and for no apparent reason, it can be an early symptom of several types of cancer, such as liver cancer and leukemia.
If you experience early symptoms of cancer as above, do not hesitate to immediately consult a doctor.
Then, in order to detect cancer as early as possible, it's a good idea to have regular checkups, especially if you have a family history of cancer. If needed, the doctor may suggest cancer screening tests, such as mammography, PAP smear, and examination of tumor markers.
In addition, try to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, managing stress well, and avoiding cigarette smoke, in order to reduce the risk of suffering from cancer.