Cancer warning signs can be systemic symptoms not related to any specific organ in the body, or conversely, they may be associated with the location of the tumor or with cancer metastases.
Most of these signs are not unique indicators of cancer; therefore, patients, and even healthcare providers, often overlook them, considering them merely symptoms of less serious conditions or not worth worrying about.
Only careful clinical examinations and, depending on the case, biological tests, X-rays, or endoscopies can provide a significant diagnosis.
Systemic Symptoms
These symptoms are quite varied and may exist alone for a long time without any specific signs of cancer. If they persist for an extended period or worsen, they become warning signs. Systemic symptoms can include loss of appetite (primarily aversion to meat), significant weight loss, persistent fever without an infectious cause, unresponsive to treatment, and prolonged fatigue…
Three important warning signs are:
– Bleeding: Any bleeding, whether minor or significant, is always a warning sign. Bleeding can occur due to the invasion of blood vessels by a tumor or rupture of blood vessels located between cancerous tissues. Patients may cough up blood or experience nosebleeds (epistaxis) if they have oral, throat, sinus, or esophageal cancer.
If lung or bronchial cancer is present, coughing up blood-stained sputum occurs. Blood in urine can be due to kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer. In female patients, vaginal bleeding outside of menstrual periods, during intercourse, or after menopause may indicate cervical or vaginal cancer. Rectal bleeding is often the first sign of colorectal cancer. Vomiting blood is typically associated with esophageal or stomach cancer…
– Pain: Pain is also a critical warning sign of cancer. It is characterized by persistent pain in a specific area that worsens over time, is unresponsive to pain relief medications, and causes insomnia. Chronic headaches can initially be the only sign indicating brain cancer. Prolonged abdominal pain or intermittent pain may signal cancer in a deeper organ, such as the colon.
– Infections: Any recurrent infections that do not respond to antibiotics can be a warning sign of cancer. This is because cancer can create conditions that allow bacteria to thrive and cause infections by weakening the immune system, narrowing hollow organs (such as bronchi or the urinary system), ulcerating mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, or genital organs, and destroying tissues.
Other Warning Signs
– Phlebitis. Phlebitis (formation of blood clots in the veins) often occurs in the veins of the lower extremities and can sometimes be the first sign of cancer. This is because a tumor in the abdominal or pelvic cavity can compress veins, causing phlebitis, and cancerous tissues can release substances that create blood clots.
– Palpable or visible signs: Some warning signs can be seen or felt. If you notice a small lump or an unusual hard area in the skin, muscles, breast, or testicles that persists for a long time or grows steadily, regardless of pain, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately.
Uneven raised skin, sores that do not heal and spread are also warning signs of skin cancer. Lastly, if you notice a wart (verruca) or mole thickening, changing color, or bleeding, you should consult a healthcare provider right away.
Which organs or systems are affected by cancer?
Based on these warning signs, it is possible to fairly accurately identify which organ or system may be affected by cancer.
– Mouth, throat, sinuses, and esophagus: Warning signs include difficulty chewing or pain radiating to the ear, prolonged hoarseness (oral or throat cancer); pain, difficulty swallowing, vomiting (esophageal cancer)…
– Respiratory system: Gradually or suddenly increasing shortness of breath, initially during exertion and later occurring at rest, is often the first sign of lung cancer. A persistent cough in smokers should also be closely monitored.
– Digestive system: The first sign of digestive system cancer is a feeling of heaviness in the epigastric area (upper abdomen) and constipation. A false urge to defecate, a feeling of heaviness, and pain in the rectum may suggest rectal cancer. Rapidly progressing jaundice may indicate bile duct or liver cancer.
– Urinary system and prostate: Difficulty urinating or urinary retention are the first signs of urinary system cancer or prostate cancer in men.
– Lymph nodes: Enlargement of one or more lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin may be the first symptom of deep cancer or lymphoma.
– Central nervous system: Chronic headaches, paralysis, vision disturbances, personality changes, and morning vomiting may sometimes be warning signs of brain or meningeal cancer.
