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Cancer is a health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can develop in different parts of the body, including the lungs, breasts, colon, stomach, skin, and blood. Recognising unusual changes in your body and seeking medical advice when needed can help identify potential health problems earlier.
One important thing to remember is that cancer does not always cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Some warning signs may also be caused by common infections, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, or other non-cancerous conditions. However, persistent, unexplained, or unusual symptoms should not be ignored.
In this blog, we explore seven possible warning signs of cancer, when to seek medical advice, and how screening and preventive healthcare can support better health.
Losing weight without changing your diet, physical activity, or lifestyle may sometimes be a warning sign of an underlying health problem.
Unintentional weight loss can occur in certain cancers, including cancers affecting the stomach, pancreas, lungs, or digestive system. It may happen because of changes in metabolism, reduced appetite, or difficulty eating and absorbing nutrients.
What to look for:
Weight loss can also result from thyroid disorders, diabetes, digestive conditions, stress, and other causes. If you experience significant or ongoing unexplained weight loss, consult a healthcare professional for evaluation.
A new lump, thickened area, or swelling anywhere in the body deserves attention, especially if it persists or changes over time.
Lumps may develop in the breast, neck, armpit, abdomen, or other areas. Some cancers can cause a lump that feels firm, does not disappear, or gradually increases in size. However, many lumps are non-cancerous, such as cysts or enlarged lymph nodes caused by infections.
What to look for:
Do not try to diagnose a lump by touch alone. Arrange a medical examination, particularly if it is new, persistent, or growing.
Changes in bowel or bladder habits can happen because of diet, infections, medications, or digestive and urinary conditions. In some cases, persistent changes may be associated with cancers affecting the colon, bladder, or other parts of the digestive or urinary system.
Possible warning signs include:
These symptoms do not automatically mean cancer. Nevertheless, blood in the stool or urine should be medically assessed, even if it occurs only once. Seek prompt medical advice for persistent or unexplained changes.
Unexplained bleeding is another symptom that should never be overlooked. Depending on where it occurs, it may be associated with several medical conditions, including certain cancers.
Examples include:
There are many possible causes of abnormal bleeding, and not all are cancer-related. However, unexplained bleeding needs medical evaluation to identify the cause.
If bleeding is heavy, you feel faint, or you have difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical care.
A cough caused by a cold or respiratory infection generally improves over time. A cough that persists, keeps returning, or is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms may require further investigation.
Certain lung and throat cancers can cause a persistent cough or changes in the voice.
Warning signs to watch for:
Smoking, respiratory infections, allergies, and acid reflux can also cause these symptoms. Consult a healthcare professional if the cough or voice change persists, worsens, or is unexplained. Coughing up blood or experiencing severe breathing difficulty requires urgent medical attention.
Your skin can sometimes provide clues about changes occurring in your body. Certain skin cancers may appear as a new growth, a sore that does not heal, or a mole that changes in appearance.
Pay attention to changes in existing moles as well as new or unusual skin lesions.
Look for:
One useful guide is the ABCDE approach to checking moles:
Not every changing mole is cancerous, but a suspicious or changing skin lesion should be examined by a healthcare professional.
Pain, tiredness, and fever are common symptoms of many illnesses. They are not specific to cancer, but persistent or unexplained symptoms may need medical evaluation.
Some cancers can cause ongoing pain, unusual fatigue, or fever. The type and location of symptoms vary depending on the condition.
Pay attention to:
Fatigue can also be caused by anaemia, sleep problems, stress, thyroid disorders, infections, or nutritional deficiencies. Rather than assuming the worst, consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with daily activities.
You should seek medical advice if you notice a new, persistent, worsening, or unexplained change in your body.
Do not wait for symptoms to become severe before getting checked. Equally, do not assume that every symptom indicates cancer. A healthcare professional can assess your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors to determine whether further testing is necessary.
Seek urgent medical care for severe symptoms such as heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or sudden severe pain.
Early detection depends on the type of cancer, a person's age, family history, risk factors, and the availability of appropriate screening tests.
A doctor may recommend a physical examination, imaging, laboratory tests, or a biopsy depending on the symptoms and suspected condition.
Some cancers have established screening tests for people who meet specific age or risk criteria. Examples include cervical cancer screening and breast cancer screening. Colorectal cancer screening is also recommended for eligible people according to applicable guidelines and individual risk.
It is important to understand that routine blood tests alone cannot detect or rule out every type of cancer. Many cancers require specific screening or diagnostic procedures. A normal blood report does not necessarily exclude cancer, and an abnormal result does not automatically mean cancer is present.
Not every cancer can be prevented, but certain lifestyle choices can lower the risk of developing some cancers.
Consider these healthy habits:
These habits support overall health and may reduce the risk of certain cancers, but they cannot guarantee prevention.
1. What are the seven common warning signs of cancer?
Possible warning signs include unexplained weight loss, a new or growing lump, persistent bowel or bladder changes, unusual bleeding, a persistent cough or voice change, changes in the skin or moles, and persistent unexplained pain, fatigue, or fever.
2. Can cancer develop without symptoms?
Yes. Some cancers may cause few or no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. This is one reason why recommended screening is important for eligible individuals, even when they feel well.
3. Does unexplained weight loss always mean cancer?
No. Unexplained weight loss can occur because of thyroid disorders, diabetes, digestive conditions, infections, stress, and other health problems. However, significant or ongoing weight loss should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
4. Can a normal blood test rule out cancer?
No. Routine blood tests cannot rule out every type of cancer. Depending on the suspected condition, a doctor may recommend imaging, specific screening tests, endoscopy, or a biopsy.
5. What tests are used to detect cancer?
The appropriate tests depend on the suspected cancer and the person's symptoms and risk factors. Investigations may include a physical examination, imaging, laboratory tests, screening procedures, and sometimes a biopsy.
6. When should I get a lump checked?
Arrange a medical assessment for a new, persistent, or growing lump, particularly if it is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms. A lump's appearance or feel alone cannot establish whether it is cancerous.
7. Can lifestyle changes prevent cancer?
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of some cancers, but they cannot prevent every type. Avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, protecting your skin, and following recommended screening guidance can all contribute to risk reduction.
Recognising the possible warning signs of cancer is an important step towards taking care of your health. Unexplained weight loss, unusual lumps, persistent changes in bowel or bladder habits, abnormal bleeding, a lasting cough, changing skin lesions, and ongoing unexplained symptoms deserve attention.
Remember that these signs can have many causes, and experiencing one does not automatically mean you have cancer. The key is to notice changes, seek medical advice when needed, and follow screening recommendations appropriate for your age and risk factors.
Listen to your body, act on persistent changes, and make informed healthcare decisions. Early evaluation can help identify the cause of symptoms and guide appropriate care.