Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. There are at least 15 symptoms that can be a sign of cancer and need inbeware, especially if it happens by continuously or even increase bad.
Although the exact cause of cancer is difficult to determine, you need to know that there are various risk factors for cancer. Starting from unhealthy diet and lifestyle, to heredity.
Understanding 15 Main Symptoms of Cancer
Being aware of the symptoms of cancer can help you detect cancer as early as possible. Here are the symptoms of cancer that you need to pay attention to:
- Changes in the mouthOral cancer is common in smokers and is characterized by bright red, gray, or yellow patches in the mouth and tongue. This complaint is also often accompanied by swelling in the mouth, then the mouth often bleeds for no apparent reason, and numbness in the mouth and face.
- Pain when swallowingPain when swallowing food is common if you have a cough or sore throat. But throat cancer or stomach cancer also has similar symptoms, especially if accompanied by vomiting or drastic weight loss without effort, in a relatively short time.
- Coughing up bloodA cough that lasts longer than four weeks and is accompanied by blood can be a symptom of lung cancer. It may be accompanied by loss of appetite, excessive fatigue, and weight loss.
- HeartburnHeartburn that doesn't go away and feels very annoying, and doesn't get better with regular treatment, can be a symptom of ovarian cancer, throat cancer, and stomach cancer.
- BloatedStomach that feels full or pressed continuously, accompanied by bleeding from the vagina, or significant weight loss may be a sign of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, or ovarian cancer.
- Urinary disturbancesChanges that occur around bowel movements, such as bloody stools or bladder for a long time, can be a sign of a more serious disease, such as colon cancer, kidney cancer, or bladder cancer.
- Depression and stomach acheAlthough quite rare, depression accompanied by prolonged abdominal pain can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.
- Bleeding inbetween menstruationBleeding outside of menstruation or prolonged menstruation, with excessive amounts of blood can be a sign of endometrial cancer or cancer of the uterine wall
- Changes in the testiclesTesticular cancer usually begins with a painful lump in a man's testicle. It can also be accompanied by accumulation of fluid in the scrotum, feels heavy, and hurts like stabbing.
- Pain in certain body partsExcessive or prolonged pain can be a sign of cancer in certain body parts. For example, headaches that occur continuously can be a sign of a tumor in the brain, and back pain can indicate ovarian cancer, colon cancer or rectal cancer.
- Changes in the skinSkin cancer can be characterized by changes in skin color, redness of the skin, the surface becomes hard or scaly, the presence of a mole that continues to increase in size, or the appearance of suspicious lumps on the surface of the skin.
- Changes in breastsBreast cancer that occurs in men and women has similar symptoms, starting with a lump in the breast, wrinkled breast skin resembling an orange peel and reddish in color, pain, and fluid or blood coming out of the nipple.
- Drastic weight lossPancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and lung cancer generally arise with the initial symptoms of drastic weight loss. This weight loss occurs effortlessly and in no time.
- Prolonged feverLeukemia or other blood cancers generally begin with symptoms of a prolonged fever that does not go away, for no apparent reason.
- Fatigue that tidI'm going to stopAlways feeling tired even though you have had enough rest can be a symptom of cancer. In fact, fatigue can be a sign that cancer is developing.
An alert attitude to cancer symptoms can help doctors' efforts in early detection of cancer. The sooner cancer is detected, the higher the chances of it being treated.
The symptoms above are indeed worth watching out for, but that doesn't mean if you experience them, you can be sure you have cancer. You are advised to consult a doctor if these symptoms do not subside or even worsen. That way, the doctor can find out the cause, so they can provide the treatment you need.