General symptoms | iHope Health

Cancer - General Symptoms

The body uses signs and symptoms to alert you when something is wrong, such as an injury, illness, or disease.

• Sign: A sign is something observable by others or measurable, like a fever or bleeding.
• Symptom: A symptom is a subjective experience that only the individual feels or notices, such as pain or fatigue.

What Determines Cancer Symptoms?

Cancer symptoms depend on where the cancer is located, its size, and how much it affects nearby organs or tissues. If cancer has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body), symptoms may appear in various locations across the body.

How Does Cancer Cause Symptoms?

As cancer grows, it may begin to press on nearby organs, blood vessels, or nerves. This pressure can cause many of the symptoms related to cancer.

Common General Symptoms of Cancer

Here are the most commonly seen symptoms in cancer patients:

1. Persistent Fatigue:
• Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest and continues over time can be a sign of cancer. It may occur even if you are well-rested and not physically exerting yourself.
2. Unexplained Weight Changes:
• Significant weight loss or weight gain (around 5 kg or more) without an apparent cause can be an early warning sign of cancer.
3. Eating Difficulties:
• Symptoms may include a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
4. Lumps or Swelling:
• The appearance of lumps or swelling in any part of the body could be an indication of cancer. These lumps may be hard, painless, or accompanied by discomfort.
5. New or Unexplained Pain:
• Any new or persistent pain without an obvious reason should be evaluated, especially if it doesn’t seem to improve over time.
6. Skin Changes:
• Changes in the skin such as lumps, new moles, changes in existing moles, sores that don’t heal, or other persistent skin conditions could be a sign of skin cancer or other cancers.
7. Chronic Cough or Hoarseness:
• A cough that doesn’t go away or a hoarse voice, especially if unrelated to an infection, may be a symptom of cancers such as lung cancer.
8. Unexplained Bleeding or Discharge:
• Unusual bleeding from the nose, mouth, rectum, or genital areas without an obvious cause may be a sign of cancer.
9. Bowel Changes:
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stool, or changes in the color of stool, can be warning signs of gastrointestinal cancers.
10. Urinary Symptoms:
• Difficulty urinating, pain during urination, blood in the urine, or frequent urination may be signs of cancers affecting the urinary system.
11. Fever:
• A persistent fever that doesn’t seem related to an infection could indicate the presence of cancer.
12. Night Sweats:
• Excessive sweating, especially at night, without any clear reason may be linked to certain types of cancer like lymphoma.
13. Headaches:
• Persistent or unusual headaches can sometimes be a symptom of cancers affecting the brain.
14. Vision Changes:
• Sudden or unexplained changes in vision can sometimes be a sign of cancers affecting the eyes or brain.
15. Mouth Sores or Pain:
• Sores, bleeding, or numbness in the mouth, especially if persistent, may indicate oral cancers.

Additional Notes:

While the symptoms listed above are common warning signs of cancer, there are many other symptoms that may not be included here. It’s important to consult a doctor if you experience any unexplained or persistent symptoms, as early detection improves the chances of successful treatment.

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