Top 15 “Super Small” Signs Warning of Cancer That Many People Overlook

There are extremely subtle signs that are often overlooked, yet they can indicate early cancer.

First, do not panic if you notice any of these signs. Stay calm and schedule an appointment with a specialist. Early examination will help you understand what might be causing you to feel “unwell” and provide valuable options for action.

Depending on your symptoms, medical history, and clinical examination results, your doctor may recommend specific tests or diagnostic procedures to look for cancer cell markers. If cancer is detected, they can also determine how far it has spread (metastasized).

1. Unhealed Bumps

Skin cancer is a common type of cancer, with the main forms being squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and less commonly, melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma may sometimes appear as a pearly bump or a waxy lesion with a pale yellow color.

Many individuals notice they have bumps on their cheeks or noses that show no signs of coming to a head or flattening. Typically, these types of cancer develop slowly and have a high treatment prognosis.

Therefore, any new swelling on the skin that lasts for 6 to 8 weeks should be examined.

2. Sensation of a Foreign Object

A sensation of a lump in the throat is often associated with acid reflux, but sometimes this sensation can signal the presence of a tumor.

For instance, tumors at the base of the tongue and tonsils caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) from oral sex can manifest this way. HPV can remain dormant in your body for many years before producing symptoms, which is why many individuals are unaware of their risk for head and neck cancer.

The feeling of something stuck in the throat, such as hair or a bone, should be investigated promptly.

3. Persistent Itching as a Cancer Sign

Some cancers, such as lymphoma, can cause severe itching in patients. The itch can develop and persist, greatly affecting appearance and daily life. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system (part of the immune system), including Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Any type of lymphoma can cause itching.

Itching is a nonspecific symptom, prompting many to consult dermatologists or internists. If dermatological treatments are ineffective, consider discussing appropriate screening biopsies with your doctor.

4. Ear Pain

What happens when one ear constantly hurts without a sign of infection? The cause may not be related to your ear but could be a sign of cancer, such as oral cancer. This pain can radiate to the ear from nerves in the head or neck (referred otalgia).

Early-stage cancer at the back of the tongue or tonsils can have quite subtle symptoms. A person may experience ear pain without any other accompanying symptoms for weeks or months before discovering oral cancer. This type of ear pain can also indicate late-stage oral cancer, showing that cancer cells have metastasized and begun to affect those nerves.

Seek medical attention if you experience ear pain without any other symptoms.

What happens when one ear constantly hurts without a sign of infection? (Image: Internet).

5. Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding or irregular menstruation can be related to hormonal imbalances in the body, but it can also be a sign of cervical fibroids or polyps. However, sometimes abnormal vaginal bleeding can indicate endometrial cancer, which is quite common and has a high cure rate.

Therefore, if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause or before menopause in those with risk factors for endometrial cancer such as obesity, it should be evaluated at a medical facility.

6. Drooping Upper Eyelid

A drooping upper eyelid is often understood as a sign of aging, injury, or a stroke symptom. However, this can also indicate Pancoast-Tobias syndrome, a malignant tumor at the apex of the lung. Although this condition is quite rare, it can

Pancoast tumors begin at the lung’s apex and spread to nearby tissues such as ribs and vertebrae. Most Pancoast tumors are non-small cell lung cancer.

Unlike other types of lung cancer, coughing is not an early symptom of Pancoast tumors. One of the first signs can be severe shoulder pain. Some individuals may develop Horner’s syndrome (a rare condition that occurs when the nerves traveling from the brain to the eye and face are damaged), which includes drooping eyelids, reduced pupil size, and decreased sweating on the affected side of the face.

7. Scaly Patches or Warts

A red, scaly patch may appear, and while you don’t need to worry immediately, if it appears on sun-exposed skin and doesn’t disappear after 8 weeks, it may not be eczema but a sign of squamous cell carcinoma.

This type of skin cancer sometimes looks like a dome-shaped wart appearing on the head, neck, or back of the hands. Some people may develop lesions on the backs of their feet after years of sun exposure.

Eczema can be easily mistaken for squamous cell carcinoma. (Image: Internet).

8. Anemia

Anemia can cause fatigue, dizziness, and lightheadedness, and it can sometimes be the first sign of colorectal cancer. Why is this so? Colorectal cancer can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, and blood can appear in the stool.

Rectal bleeding is often not easily self-detected because the amount of blood is usually very small. However, over time, prolonged blood loss can lead to a drop in red blood cell count and anemia.

9. Prolonged Hoarseness

Some people experience temporary voice loss when suffering from a severe cold. Prolonged hoarseness is a different issue and needs timely evaluation.

Laryngeal cancer attacks tissues in the larynx, causing sore throat, ear pain, or a lump in the neck or throat. Laryngeal cancer can also spread to the thyroid, trachea, or esophagus. Consult a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Sore throat or persistent cough that does not improve with medication
• Difficulties swallowing or pain when swallowing, feeling of a lump in the throat
• Ear pain
• Palpable lump in the neck or throat
• Changes in voice or hoarseness that is not related to a cold.

10. Bloating

Occasionally experiencing bloating or abdominal distension is not too serious, but in rare cases, bloating accompanied by pelvic discomfort can be a sign of ovarian cancer.

This type of cancer tends to have an increased risk if someone in your family has had it.

Bloating accompanied by pelvic discomfort may be a sign of ovarian cancer. (Image: Internet).

11. An Unusual Lump in the Neck

Lumps in the neck can have many causes. Typically, lumps or swellings in the neck occur when lymph nodes swell due to bacterial or viral infections, cancer, or other rare causes.

Neck lumps can also result from trauma or torticollis, a condition in which neck muscles cause the head to tilt, turn, or rotate to one side. These lumps are often found at the front of the neck.

Sometimes, a lump in the neck is caused by the thyroid gland. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, is responsible for regulating many bodily functions. Swelling or bulging in the thyroid can be due to thyroid disease or cancer.

All neck lumps in both children and adults should be promptly examined by a doctor.

12. Breast Swelling or Dimpling

Unusual changes in the breast, not just a lump appearing in the breast, should be examined promptly. Other symptoms to pay attention to include:

• Breast pain
• A lump or thickening in the breast (including in the armpit)
• Changes in breast size and shape
• Skin changes on the nipple or breast, including dimpling or wrinkles, scaling, redness, and swelling
• Inverted nipple
• Nipple discharge.

Types of breast cancer include: ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), tubular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, and mucinous carcinoma. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and in Vietnam, making early examination essential for timely intervention.

13. Bone Pain

Bone pain can result from an injury, infection, or osteoporosis, but it can also be a sign of cancer.

Unexplained bone pain, especially in the spine, pelvis, and ribs, may be a symptom of multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow and other organs, accounting for approximately 1% of malignancies and 13% of hematologic malignancies.

Additionally, bone or joint pain in individuals with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or weight loss may indicate leukemia, a type of blood and bone marrow cancer.

Bone or joint pain in individuals with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or weight loss may indicate leukemia. (Image: Internet).

14. Pain After Drinking Alcohol

You may feel nauseous after consuming a large amount of alcohol. However, in rare cases, unexplained pain after drinking alcohol could suggest Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that begins in lymphocytes. Hodgkin lymphoma can start in almost any part of the body, with the most common locations being lymph nodes in the chest, neck, or under the arms.

According to Health, a case study published described a 31-year-old man who experienced intense pain after consuming just two to three sips of alcohol. He experienced a similar reaction for three months, with no pain after swallowing other liquids or foods. After a lymph node biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Typically, these patients may experience swelling in some lymph nodes in the neck or chest. When consuming alcohol, these tumors seem to be more painful.

15. Frequent Urination

Frequent urination may be associated with urinary tract infections if accompanied by painful urination, overactive bladder, kidney stones (if blood is present in the urine), or type 2 diabetes. However, frequent urination can also be a sign of bladder cancer or kidney cancer.

The incidence of kidney cancer in men is reported to be twice that in women.

When to See a Doctor?

It’s important to remember that not every symptom you experience indicates cancer. However, recognizing early signs of changes in your body, including new symptoms like pain, can aid doctors in making accurate diagnoses.

Additionally, do not overlook annual health check-ups, as regular health screenings and cancer screenings, especially for individuals over 40, are crucial. Early detection of cancer improves the chances of survival compared to when cancer cells have metastasized and spread.

• The Unique Uses of a Highly Toxic Plant Found Throughout Vietnam
• An Easy Explanation of “General Relativity”
• The Truth About the Discovery of the Underground City of “Reptilians” in Los Angeles