Cancer, like other illnesses can cause symptoms. Symptoms are changes such as a persistent cough, the sudden appearance of a lump or unexplained weight loss. Treatment for cancer can be more effective when it is found early so it is important to keep an eye out for any changes in your body.
Moles that change colour, shape or size. Chest pain or a chest infection that doesn't get better. A cough that doesn't go away or difficulty swallowing. Feeling tired or weak when it is unexpected.
Some cancers , such as carcinoid cancer, grow extremely slowly. Years or even decades may pass before they cause noticeable symptoms. During this time, the cancer may go undetected.
Sometimes symptoms affect specific areas of the body, such as our tummy or skin. But signs can also be more general, and include weight loss, tiredness (fatigue) or unexplained pain. Some possible signs of cancer, like a lump, are better known than others.
Symptoms of stage 4 cancer mainly depend on which organs are affected, though there may be no symptoms at all.
A complete blood count (CBC) is a common medical test that your doctor may recommend to monitor your health. In cancer care, this blood test can be used to help diagnose a cancer or monitor how cancer or its treatment is affecting your body.
The fatigue felt by people with cancer is different from the fatigue of daily life and different from the tired feeling people might remember having before they had cancer. People with cancer might describe it as feeling very weak, listless, drained, or “washed out” that may decrease for a while but then comes back.
Myth: A blood test can diagnose cancer on its own. Fact: Many cancers cause hormonal and metabolic changes that are detected by a blood test, known as tumour markers. But usually, a blood test on its own isn't enough for a diagnosis. The results could be caused by other conditions that aren't cancer.
Know when to call your doctor by using the 2-week rule: If you notice a subtle change in your normal health and it lasts 2 weeks or more, it's time to explore what is causing the change. Your doctor wants to hear from you before a small problem becomes a bigger, more complex one.
So your doctor may start by asking about your personal and family medical history and doing a physical exam. They may order lab tests, imaging tests (scans), or other tests or procedures. You may also need a biopsy, which is often the only way to tell for sure if you have cancer.
Imaging tests used in diagnosing cancer may include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound and X-ray, among others. Biopsy.
Cancer pain may be mild, moderate or severe. It may take several forms, such as feeling like a sharp stabbing pain that comes and goes, a tingling or burning sensation or a persistent ache. Cancer pain affects your quality of life. It can make certain cancer symptoms and treatment side effects feel worse.
Aside from certain environmental factors (such as being a longtime smoker), risk level is determined based upon family history. “A person who has first- and sometimes second-degree relatives who have had cancer is considered high risk,” says Dawn Severson, M.D., a medical oncologist with Henry Ford Health.
Cancer related fatigue is different from tiredness which is usually short term and you feel better after you stop, sleep or rest. Cancer fatigue doesn't usually go away with sleep or rest. It can be severe and last a long time. Fatigue can last for different amounts of time depending on what's causing it.
Is it hypochondriasis (Illness Anxiety Disorder) or OCD? When you're constantly worried that you might have cancer, there's a possibility that it could be a sign of OCD or illness anxiety disorder. What are the differences between OCD and llness anxiety disorder, and how can you tell if you have one or the other?
Extreme fatigue that doesn't get better with rest can be an early sign of cancer.
Talk to a doctor about which tests you might need and the screening schedule that's right for you. It's a good idea to also talk about risk factors, such as lifestyle behaviors and family history that may put you or your loved one at higher risk. See more in-depth recommendations in Cancer Screening Guidelines by Age.
Though an ultrasound alone cannot definitively show whether a mass is cancer, the technology is commonly used during the diagnostic process. This is because solid masses and abnormal tissue emit a different echo than fluid-filled cysts and healthy tissue.
Conclusion. Silent cancers include breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer. Screening is an essential tool for preventing and early diagnosis of such cancers.
Weight gain and cancer
Weight gain is also common and may be unexpected. However, it can happen before, during and after cancer treatment. Some tumours can cause an increase in weight, perhaps because of their size, and fluid retention or constipation.
This was nearly 10 years ago. Looking forward, in April 2022, Ed was declared to have “no evidence of disease” and remains so to this day. After surviving stage 4 Lung Cancer, Ed is determined to help others, so he has become an advocate, leading efforts to improve the lives of people diagnosed with lung cancer.