10 Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

In an effort to stay safe from the coronavirus, many of us have put off the annual screenings and check-ups where cancers are often diagnosed. Still, early detection of cancer is one of the best weapons against the disease.

Cancer screenings can detect an abnormality even before initial symptoms appear. You can pick up on the early warning signs by paying close attention to the changes in your body and habits. If you notice something in this list, or if it’s new or different and lasts several weeks – and several weeks is key – reach out to your health care provider immediately. At Daffodil Home Care, your health is our first priority, and in an effort to educate you with important health facts & knowledge, here are 10 symptoms that may indicate the presence of a cancer:

1. Abnormal Periods or Pelvic Pain

Many women have experienced an occasional irregularity in their period or cramps. But persistent pain or changes in your cycle can be a sign of cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer.

2. Changes in Your Bathroom Habits

Significant changes in your bodily functions may indicate colon, prostate or bladder cancer, among other cancers. The warning signs may include persistent constipation or diarrhea; black or red blood in your stool; black, tarry stools; more frequent trips to the bathroom; and/or blood in your urine.

3. Breast Changes

These include a the presence of a new lump, dimpling, discoloring, changes around the nipple or unusual discharge that you didn’t have before. Although most breast cancer occurs in women, men are able to develop it as well.

4. Chronic Coughing

A cough that persists for two weeks or more, especially a dry cough, can be a sign of lung cancer.

5. Excessive Bruising

Any bruise on the shin from bumping into the coffee table is normal. But suddenly getting a lot of bruising in unusual places on your skin that haven’t been bumped may indicate various blood cancers.

6. Frequent Fevers or Infections

Spiking a fever frequently, or going from one infection to the next can indicate that your immune system has been rendered more susceptible by lymphoma or leukemia.

7. Skin Changes

Any shift in the appearance of a mole or birthmark on your skin should be assessed by a health care provider, whether it is in person or through a video visit. To remember which changes are cause for concern, use this easy mnemonic, ABCDE.

ASYMMETRY: One half of the mole or mark doesn’t look like the other.

BORDER: The edges are irregular or blurred.

COLOR: It’s varied or inconsistent, both black and brown.

DIAMETER: It’s larger than the size of a pencil eraser.

EVOLVING: This refers to any mole that grows, bleeds or otherwise changes over time.

8. Persistent Fatigue

A sudden change or decrease in your energy level, no matter how much sleep you’ve been getting, can be a sign of leukemia or lymphoma.

9. Unexplainable Weight Loss

Your weight always fluctuates. But the sudden loss of pounds when you’re not trying, or a sudden loss of your appetite, can indicate many types of cancers, especially ones that can spread.

10. Unusual Lumps

Any new lump or mass on your skin that don’t go away over a short period of time should be evaluated. Lymph nodes often become swollen if you have cold\flu symptoms, but if the swelling persists after you’re back to normal, you should contact your doctor immediately.