What Are the Early Symptoms of Cancer?

By noticing changes in our bodies early, we can help ensure the early diagnosis of possible cancer.

We occasionally hear about or witness common symptoms that may lead to a cancer diagnosis, such as a breast lump, unusual bleeding, or changes in moles on the skin. By noticing changes in our bodies early, we can help ensure the early diagnosis of possible cancer. So, what kinds of noticeable symptoms should we pay attention to? Let’s examine them together.

Unfortunately, by the time you notice the common symptoms you have heard about or witnessed, the cancer has usually progressed, making treatment more difficult. Because these symptoms may be subtle or resemble those of less serious health problems, they are often overlooked or ignored. Nevertheless, by paying attention, you may be able to detect cancer while it is still at its most treatable stage. Here are the most common 7 early cancer symptoms that you should not ignore for yourself and your loved ones.

Abdominal Bloating

Abdominal bloating or enlargement may be an early—and sometimes the only—warning sign of ovarian cancer. Ranked 7th among gynecological cancers in Turkey, ovarian cancer is one of the types of cancer carrying the highest risk of death. %80 of ovarian cancers have spread before they are diagnosed. However, as with many types of cancer, if it is monitored carefully and treated early, the course of the disease progresses favorably.

Persistent abdominal bloating (bloating lasting 2 weeks or longer) should be taken seriously. Other warning signs of ovarian cancer may include difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, or frequent urination.

Abdominal bloating may also be a symptom of colorectal cancer, which is common in both men and women in our country and carries a high risk of death. Noticeable warning signs of colorectal cancer may include changes in bowel habits lasting more than a few days (diarrhea, constipation, etc.) or feeling the need to have a bowel movement but not feeling relieved after doing so.

Feeling Full

Feeling full even after eating a small amount of food may be a sign of ovarian, pancreatic, or stomach cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that is among the most difficult to treat and should be detected at the earliest possible stage. Ranked 4th worldwide, pancreatic cancer is an aggressive type of cancer that causes death. Other common symptoms of pancreatic cancer, which occurs in both men and women, include loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, yellowing of the eyes and/or skin (jaundice), and pale, bulky, greasy, floating stools.

Feeling full in the upper abdomen even after a small meal is one of the most common symptoms of stomach cancer. Unfortunately, this symptom is usually not noticed until the disease has progressed. Unintentional weight loss is a symptom of stomach cancer, which generally affects adults and more men than women. Stomach cancer, which carries a high risk of death, is the fifth most common type of cancer in Turkey. In our country, stomach cancer ranks fifth in men, at 100.000 per 13, and also fifth in women, at 100.000 per 7.

Frequent Urination

Frequent urination or being unable to urinate despite frequently feeling the need to do so are among the insidious symptoms of bladder cancer. In our country, bladder cancer can be described as the fourth most common type of cancer in men, after lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers. In women, although the incidence of bladder cancer ranks lower, it has managed to enter the top 10. In this disease, which mainly affects older men, reddish-yellow or dark red urine is one possible symptom.

The frequent urge to urinate may also be a noticeable symptom of ovarian cancer. Like many of the nonspecific symptoms of cancer, urinary problems may also indicate conditions other than cancer, such as a urinary tract infection or, in men, an enlarged prostate.

A Breast Lump or Other Changes

Any woman who feels swelling and/or a lump in her breast will be concerned. Although a breast lump is one of the most common symptoms of breast cancer, there are more noticeable symptoms. Swelling of all or part of the breast, redness or a change in the color of the breast’s skin may be symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, which is rare but highly aggressive and carries a risk of death. Skin irritation, dimpling, itching, a scaly appearance, swelling of the nipple or breast skin, and nipple discharge may be considered warning signs of inflammatory and other types of breast cancer.

These symptoms are not only signs that women should watch for; they are also symptoms requiring attention in men with breast cancer. In particular, men who have received radiotherapy to the chest area should be vigilant and, if they notice any of these symptoms, should consult a doctor without delay, just like women. The encouraging fact is that breast cancer can be completely treated when diagnosed early.

Unintentional Weight Loss

Many of us try to lose a few pounds. However, if this weight loss occurs unintentionally, it may be a sign of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, unintentional weight loss of more than an average of 4.5-5 kg may be the first sign of many types of cancer. Unexplained weight loss is a frequently encountered symptom of stomach, pancreatic, lung, and sometimes kidney cancer. Unintentional weight loss means losing weight despite having a normal appetite and eating well. In addition, some people may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

Hoarseness

Hoarseness can easily be considered a cold, allergy, or simple voice problem. In people suffering from gastrointestinal reflux, stomach acid rises up from the esophagus and may cause hoarseness. Another possibility is that persistent chronic hoarseness is common among people who smoke. However, persistent hoarseness should be taken seriously. For people who smoke, consulting a doctor for persistent hoarseness may allow possible laryngeal or lung cancer to be diagnosed earlier and treated more effectively. Hoarseness may also be a symptom of esophageal, stomach, or thyroid cancer.

Ridged Nails

Dark-colored lines on your toenails or fingernails may not necessarily indicate cause for concern. However, they may be a sign of skin cancer (melanoma), one of the types of cancer carrying the highest risk of death, and should not be ignored.

In addition, chronic wounds, cutaneous tuberculosis, scars, certain chemicals containing carcinogenic substances, and high-risk moles (large moles with changes in color and shape) may play a role in skin cancer.

Dear readers, many of the symptoms I described in my article, as well as dozens of others, may be caused by minor health problems rather than cancer. The best way to be sure is to discuss the ongoing symptoms you believe you are experiencing with your doctor. Occasional, short-term abdominal bloating, hoarseness, or the frequent urge to use the toilet may be insignificant. However, if these noteworthy symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, consulting a doctor would be the appropriate course of action. As I have always emphasized, early diagnosis of cancer will enable the patient to receive treatment quickly and achieve positive outcomes.