Cancer Symptoms
Cancer is a serious concern for most adults. The American Cancer Association estimates that there are 500,000 cancer related deaths in the United States each year. The key to fighting these numbers, and winning the war against cancer begins with early detection. This can be achieved by frequent check-ups and cancer screening, as well as simply knowing what symptoms of cancer to look for in your day-to-day life.
There are over a hundred different types of cancer, each having a unique set of symptoms. However, there are a few common cancer symptoms that are frequently present with all types of the disease. One very common cancer symptom is unexplainable fatigue. Fatigue is considered an overwhelming tiredness that does not seem to get better with rest. Fatigue is sometimes the result of the cancer itself growing or from blood loss, which is common in certain types of cancer such as stomach, colon, and any other cancers affecting the bowels.
One of the symptoms of cancer also serves as a common first warning sign of the disease. one of these cancer symptoms is an unexplained weight loss. Almost everyone who is diagnosed with cancer will at some point lose weight, but for those who are unaware of the presence of the disease in their bodies, a sudden loss of over 10 pounds without trying, or with no obvious reasons for the weight loss should pay a visit to their physician. This sudden weight loss is extremely common symptom of cancer in the lungs, pancreas and stomach.
Pain is one of the symptoms of cancer, both in the early and late stages of the disease. Pain serves as a warning sign in different types of bone cancers, as well as testicular cancer. A painful headache which never seems to completely go away is one of the cancer symptoms associated with brain tumors. Many times pain begins to manifest when the cancer is growing and spreading to nearby organs. Pain in the lower back is sometimes attributed to cancers of the colon, ovaries, or rectum. Pain in the shoulders or chest can be a sign of lung cancers.
A persistent fever is yet another of the symptoms of cancer. Sometimes a low fever is an early sign of blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma, but more commonly a fever is one of the symptoms of cancer in the later stages when the cancer is spreading. Fever, however, like all of these symptoms can also be an indicator of many other diseases and afflictions and should be checked by a health care professional.
There are also specific cancer symptoms to watch for, such as persistent coughing with lung cancers, Skin changes and growths that are present with melanoma, and stomach pain and bowl changes that can be signs of cancers of the digestive system. Identifying cancer and beginning treatment to fight the disease greatly improves the odds of beating the disease. Being aware and watchful of any possible symptoms can save lives.
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