They say that prevention is better than cure. However, many people tend to ignore the early signs of some illnesses, and they only consider going to the doctor when it is already too late.
Cancer is one of the dreaded health conditions. Medical professionals have already found a cure for some, but there are also other forms of this sickness that still remain a mystery. Plus, the survival rate if treatment is only given at a later time is really low.
With this in mind, you should never neglect even the simplest symptoms that you are experiencing. The following are the 10 warning signs of cancer you should not ignore:
1. Lumps or Bumps
If you notice any sudden swelling in your body, regardless if it is big or small, you should have it checked as soon as possible. Take note that cancerous lumps are often insensitive or unpainful, so you should never disregard lumps or bumps even though they seem not to cause any discomfort.
2. Persistent Cough
Although cough usually comes with the common cold and flu, and usually not a cause of alarm, persistent coughing, especially when accompanied by blood, is a completely different story. So if you think that your cough is not getting better at all, it would be best to see a doctor.
3. Blood in the Urine
While blood in the urine is one of the common signs of urinary tract infection, it could also be a symptom of a bladder or kidney cancer at its early stage. It wouldn’t hurt if you undergo some tests to see what the real cause is.
4. Constant Headache
Do you constantly experience terrible headaches? That could be a migraine. However, it could also be a warning that you have brain cancer. For this reason, consulting a doctor is highly recommended, especially if the pain is not going away and getting worse instead.
5. Changes in Bowel Habits
If you notice that your bowel movements are starting to cause discomfort, or if they are looser than normal and you seem to use the bathroom more often, then that could also be a sign of bowel cancer. More so if your stools appear to be bloody.
6. Frequent Urination
There are numerous health conditions, like urinary tract infection, that may cause you to go pee more frequently, but the amount of urine is lesser than normal accompanied by pain. However, this is another thing that you should not ignore at all costs because it could be a way of your body telling you that prostate cancer is in progress.
7. Vaginal Bleeding
If you are spotting in between periods or after having sex, it is time to make a trip to the doctor’s clinic as that could be a symptom of vaginal or cervical cancers.
8. Sudden Loss of Weight
Losing a significant amount of weight in a short period of time without dieting is definitely a sign that there is something wrong with your body. It could be any type of cancer that is causing it.
9. Loss of Appetite
While psychological conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression can cause loss of appetite, it could also be something else too, especially if you notice swelling in your abdominal region. These are signs of cancer.
10. Fatigue
There are many possible reasons why you seem to feel tired most of the time. It could be that you are just depressed. However, it could also mean a more serious illness. Try to get some rest, and if you still experience fatigue, then you better go for a checkup.