Must read! Early signs and symptoms of cancer that you should never ignore

No matter your age or health, it’s good to know the possible signs of cancer. By themselves, the signs and symptoms of cancer aren’t enough to diagnose the disease.

But they are signs and symptoms you and your doctor so that you can find and treat the problem as soon as possible. Treatment works best early on when a tumor is small and hasn’t spread.

The signs and symptoms don’t always mean cancer. Lots of common conditions can make you feel this way. It’s important to see your doctor so they can take a closer look at your health and take action.

Common signs and symptoms of cancer in both men and women include the following:

Unexplained pain or ache

Pain is one way our bodies tell us that something is wrong. As we get older, it‘s more common to experience aches and pains. But unexplained pain could be a sign of something more serious.

Very heavy night sweats

Sweating at night can be caused by infections or it can be a side effect of certain medications. It’s also often experienced by women around the time of menopause. But very heavy, drenching night sweats can also be a sign of cancer.

Unexplained weight loss

Small weight changes over time are quite normal, but if you lose a noticeable amount of weight without trying to, tell your doctor.

Un usual lump or swelling anywhere

Persistent lumps or swelling in any part of your body should be taken seriously. That includes any lumps in the neck, armpit, stomach, groin, chest, breast, or testicle.

Fatigue

There are lots of reasons you may feel more tired than usual, particularly if you’re going through a stressful event, or having trouble sleeping. But if you’re feeling tired for no clear reason, it could be a sign that something is wrong – speak to your doctor.

Skin changes

Sore that won’t heal

The skin repairs itself very quickly and any damage usually heals within a week or so. When a spot, wart or sore doesn’t heal, even if it’s painless, a doctor needs to check it.

New mole or changes to a mole

Most moles are harmless. But be aware of any new moles or existing moles that change in size, shape or colour, become crusty, itch, hurt, bleed or ooze. .

Other skin changes

Any unusual change in a patch of skin or a nail, whether it’s a new change or has been there for a while, should be checked out by your doctor.

Symptoms that affect eating

Difficulty swallowing

Some medical conditions can make it difficult to swallow. Talk to your doctor if you are having difficulty swallowing and the problem doesn’t go away.

Unusual heartburn or indigestion

It is normal to feel slight discomfort or pain sometimes after eating a large, fatty, or spicy meal. But if you have heartburn (acid reflux) or indigestion(link is external) a lot, or if it is particularly painful, then you should see your doctor.

Appetite loss

Appetite loss can happen for many different reasons. Speak to your doctor if you’ve noticed you’re not as hungry as usual and it’s not getting any better.

Symptoms that affect your voice and breathing

Croaky voice or hoarseness

Having a croaky voice or feeling hoarse can be common with colds. But a croaky voice that hasn’t gone away on its own should be checked out.

Persistent cough

Coughs are common with colds and some other health conditions. But if an unexplained cough doesn’t go away in a few weeks or gets worse, it could be a sign of cancer.

Breathlessness

It’s not unusual to feel out of breath every now and then. But if you notice that you’re feeling breathless more than usual or for a lot of the time, tell your doctor.

Changes in your poo or pee

Let your doctor know if you’ve noticed a change in your bowel habits, have problems peeing, or if there’s blood in your pee or poo. A change in bowel habits can include constipation, looser poo, or pooing more often. Problems peeing might be needing to go more often or urgently, experiencing pain when peeing, or not being able to go when you need to.

These symptoms can all be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it’s best to get them checked out.

Unexplained bleeding or blood

Unexplained bleeding can often be caused by something far less serious than cancer, but you should always report it to your doctor.

This includes blood in your poo or pee, and vomiting or coughing up blood – no matter how much or what colour (it could be red, or a darker colour like brown or black). It also includes any unexplained vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause.

Mouth ulcer or patch that won’t heal

It’s common to get ulcers (small sores) in the mouth when you’re a bit run down – they usually get better in about two weeks. But an ulcer or red or white patch that doesn’t heal after 3 weeks should be reported to your doctor or dentist.

Persistent bloating

It’s quite common to experience a bloated or swollen tummy that comes and goes from time to time. But if you feel bloated most days, even if it comes and goes, talk to your doctor.

Unusual breast changes

Lumps are not the only breast changes to tell the doctor about. Also look out for any change in the size, shape or feel of a breast, or any skin changes, redness, or pain in the breast. And don’t forget any nipple changes, including fluid, which could be blood-stained, leaking from the nipple if you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Breast cancer is most common in women, but whatever your gender it’s important to tell your doctor about any unusual breast changes find out more on our breast cancer symptoms page.