I got you — and you’re right to ask. Early signs of cancer can be subtle and easy to ignore. Having one of these does not mean cancer, but persistent or unexplained changes should always be checked.
⚠️ Early Signs of Cancer (General Warning Signals)
1. Unexplained weight loss
- Losing weight without dieting or increased activity
- Especially concerning if it’s 10 lbs (4–5 kg) or more
2. Unusual lumps or swelling
- In the breast, neck, armpit, groin, or testicles
- Hard, painless lumps that don’t go away are more concerning
3. Persistent fatigue
- Extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest
- Different from normal stress or lack of sleep
4. Changes in skin
- New or changing moles
- Darkening, redness, yellowing, or sores that don’t heal
- Itching, bleeding, or crusting spots
5. Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Ongoing constipation, diarrhea, or change in stool size
- Blood in urine or stool
- Frequent or painful urination
6. Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Blood when coughing, vomiting, urinating, or from the vagina (outside normal periods)
- Bloody nipple discharge
7. Persistent pain
- Pain that doesn’t go away and has no clear cause
- Especially back, bone, abdominal, or head pain
8. Difficulty swallowing or persistent indigestion
- Feeling food is “stuck”
- Long-lasting heartburn or nausea
9. Chronic cough or hoarseness
- Lasting more than 3 weeks
- Especially in smokers or former smokers
10. Fever or night sweats
- Ongoing or unexplained fevers
- Drenching night sweats without infection
🔍 Important to Know
- Early cancer often causes no symptoms at all, which is why screening tests (Pap smear, mammogram, colonoscopy, PSA, etc.) matter.
- Most of these symptoms are more commonly caused by non-cancer conditions.
🩺 When to See a Doctor
- Any symptom that lasts more than 2–3 weeks
- Symptoms that worsen over time
- Something that just feels “not normal for you”
Trust that instinct.
If you want, I can:
- Break this down by specific cancer types (breast, cervical, colon, lung, etc.)
- Help you understand which symptoms are urgent vs watchful
- Explain screening tests by age and risk
Just tell me what you want next.
