Our body and mind have the power to send signs whenever something is wrong with our body. Sometimes, we decide to accept these warnings, and other times, we simply ignore them.
Paying attention to these signs, that are often subtle, can lead to early detection of an illness and increase the chances of battling it successfully.
Of course, whenever we feel something isn’t right, we should always consult a doctor.
Below are some of the early signs that warn us cancer is present in our body.1. Unexpected Weight Loss
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Whereas most of us won’t mind shredding a few pounds, unexpected and unintentional weight loss, without any accompanying changes in diet or activity level, can, on occasion, be a sign of cancer, particularly if it is substantial and occurs over a short period of time.
A major systematic review has confirmed that weight loss that is not explained by changes in diet or level of activity could be a strong predictor of number of cancers, including lung, pancreatic, colorectal, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and others, and is regarded as one of the more important factors that a physician considers when accessing the likelihood of cancer.
In a recent study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, unplanned weight loss was also found to be associated with an increased risk of cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract (including esophageal, stomach, liver, and pancreatic cancers), and hematologic cancers such as leukemia, indicating that individuals with unexplained weight loss should consult a physician.
2. Constant fatigue and weakness
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Fatigue associated with serious diseases such as cancer is chronic and not relieved by sleep, and research show that unexplained chronic fatigue is one of the most frequent symptoms experienced before cancer diagnosis.
In one study, almost half of the patients diagnosed with cancer reported chronic fatigue in the months preceding the diagnosis.
Some cancers are more likely than others to cause this type of chronic fatigue. Blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma can affect the body’s ability to produce normal blood cells, which can lead to extreme fatigue. Colon or stomach cancer may cause slow internal bleeding and anemia, which also results in fatigue. Liver cancer can affect the body’s metabolism, making fatigue a significant symptom.
3. Skin Changes
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Any changes on the skin should be taken seriously.
No matter if it is moles, lumps, or skin discoloration, make sure you consult with your doctor.
Potential skin changes to keep an eye on are: moles with uneven borders, or change in color and size (probable signs of melanoma), constant sores that do not heal (may imply skin cancer), yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) (related to liver or pancreatic cancer), dark spots or excessive itching (may indicate cancer of internal organs)
4. Persistent pain
