6. Changes in Bowel or Bladder Habits
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Changes in your bowel or bladder habits can sometimes indicate that something serious is happening in your body, and medical literature lists such changes as symptoms that should not be ignored.
Changes in your bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea and constipation, smaller stools, or having to go to the toilet more often, are some of the warning signs of cancers of the colon or rectum, especially if they persist for more than a week or are accompanied by blood in the stool. Such symptoms occur because cancers in the colon or rectum can impair the passage of stool or the function of the bowel.
Bladder cancer can also cause changes in the way you urinate, such as having to urinate more frequently, experiencing pain or burning sensation while urinating, or feeling the sudden change to urinate even when your bladder is not full.
7. Nagging Cough or Hoarseness
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A cough that persists or worseness over time, particularly if it persists for more than a few weeks, changes in character, or doesn’t respond to treatment, may be more than just a pesky cold. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of lung cancer, and it may start as a dry cough or cough that becomes deeper or more frequent over time. If it is accompanied by coughing up blood, shortness of breath, or chest pain, it is particularly important to seek medical attention.
Similarly, changes in your voice, such as hoarseness or a raspy voice, that lasts more than a few weeks may be a sign that a tumor is affecting the vocal cords or the nerve that controls them.
These symptoms are not always due to cancer. They can also be caused by infections, acid reflux, or vocal strain. However, if the issue becomes an ongoing one, please consult a doctor.
8. Unusual Bleeding or Discharge
