When you experience common symptoms, you should seek medical advice if:
- Your symptoms persist for more than a few weeks or get progressively worse
- You have unusual lumps or bumps that don’t go away
Remember it’s better to err on the side of caution. So, if you have any doubts, see your doctor, especially if you have a family history or other increased risks for developing cancer.
Potential cancer warning signs and symptoms
Unexplained weight loss
Rapid and unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more or loss of appetite may indicate cancer, in particular esophageal, lung or stomach cancers.
It is common for those diagnosed with cancer to experience weight loss. Even if you are eating your regular diet certain types of cancer may deprive your cells of necessary nutrients resulting in weight loss.
If you’re not trying to lose weight and you drop more than a few pounds in a short period of time, see your doctor.
Recurrent fever and/or night sweats
Fever is a common symptom of infection or illness, such as the flu. By itself, a fever may not be cause for concern. But you should see a health care professional if you spike a fever that is accompanied by chronic night sweats over several weeks and it can’t be explained by an illness, or you have frequent infections one right after the other.
New or unexplained pain
Persistent pain anywhere in the body that doesn’t have an obvious cause — like an injury or illness and doesn’t respond to regular treatments — should be evaluated by a doctor.
For instance, pain in the abdo
men or pain, swelling or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum may be a symptom of prostate, bladder, testicular or penile cancer. Unusual pain or sensitivity in the breasts may be a sign of breast cancer in women or men and should be checked out by a clinician.
Persistent heartburn or indigestion
If you don’t usually have heartburn or indigestion, but suddenly start to experience these symptoms regularly and they’re not going away, see a doctor.
