Often cancer goes undetected for a long time because people don't recognise the warning signs early on. And usually the person can't be blamed because the symptoms can vary from flu-like symptoms to heartburn. It's only when these symptoms become persistent that we tend to do anything about them. So it is god advice to take note of what is happening with your body, and never ignore symptoms that have persisted longer than normal. The key to treating the disease successfully is getting treated early. That means that routine check-ups are important in detecting any abnormalities. It is also just as important to know the early warning signs and take action.
Below are 10 signs that are potential cancer warnings:
These could be signs of leukaemia, which is a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukaemia causes the marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells. These 'bad' white blood cells crowd out the healthy white blood cells and inhibit the body's infection-fighting capabilities. Leukaemia is often only diagnosed after the patient has visited their doctor a number of times complaining of fever, aches, and flu-like symptoms.
Stomach cramps, bellyaches or frequent upset stomachs may indicate colorectal cancer. Many doctors wrongly first treat this as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a stomach ulcer. A persistent stomach pain should never be ignored as it can also be the first sign of tumours developing on your liver. If your stomach problems persist, request that you have an ultrasound to see if there are any signs of intestinal tumours.
If good rest and relaxation does not solve your feeling of exhaustion, go see your doctor. Generalised fatigue and weakness can be symptoms of many different kinds of cancer, especially when it occurs in combination with other symptoms. Chronic fatigue can be an early indication of leukaemia.
The fingernails are good indicators of general health. Any unexplained changes to them could indicate the onset of various types of cancers. A brown or black streak or dot under the nail can indicate skin cancer. Enlargement at the ends of the fingers, with nails that curve down over the tips, can be a sign of lung cancer. Pale or white nails can indicate that your liver is not functioning properly and can signal the early onset of liver cancer.
Any sudden unexplained weight loss that's not attributed to changes in diet or exercise needs closer examination. It could be diabetes or it could be an early sign of colon or other digestive cancers. It is also a sign that the cancer may have already spread to the liver. This will affect your appetite and your body's ability to rid itself of waste.
Anybody can get heartburn, but if it is persistent or if you have a constant low-level of pain in your chest after eating go see your doctor - it could be for oesophageal cancer. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid rises into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and an acidic taste in the throat. This can trigger a condition called Barrett's oesophagus, which can be a precursor of oesophageal cancer.
The most common early sign of stomach cancer is pain in the upper or middle abdomen that feels like trapped wind or heartburn. Stomach cancer is often aggravated by eating and you may feel full even when you haven't eaten much. Unfortunately the pain can be relieved by antacids, which gives the false impression that you had too much stomach acid. If you have frequent bouts of stomach acidity, abdominal pain, or a full feeling after meals, especially after a small meal go see your doctor.
Constipation, diarrhoea, and changes in stools are common and are usually diet-related, however they can also be signs of cancer. If it has persisted for more than a few days without having any obvious cause like flu or food poisoning, you should go see your doctor. Colon cancer can cause more frequent stools, as well as a feeling of not having the bowels emptined completely. Pancreatic cancer causes fatty stools, which are frequent, large stools that are paler than normal and also very smelly. This is a sign that your body's not absorbing your food properly, and it you should bring it to your doctor's attention straight away.
Both these symptoms are commonly associated with oesophageal or throat cancer. Difficulty swallowing can sometimes also be one of the first signs of lung cancer. A hoarse or low, husky voice or the feeling of something pressing on the throat, or that something is stuck in your windpipe can be early indicators of thyroid cancer or a precancerous thyroid nodule.
People sometimes think of these symptoms as asthma, and many doctors may treat it as such. However, it may also be a precursor to lung cancer. If you feel like you can't cross the street without wheezing and you've never had asthma before, go see your doctor. Also, thyroid cancer can cause breathing problems when a nodule or tumour begins to press on the trachea, or windpipe. If you have any persistent breathing difficulties you should always go see your doctor.
Of course, you don't want to be running to your doctor every 5 minutes because you exhibit 1 or more of these symptoms. Sometimes it may be nothing.The trick is recognising your baseline state of health, and becoming aware of anything that deviates from that. if it persists longer than it should normally, then go see your doctor.
You can also make it harder for cancer to grow by having a healthy diet with regular exercise. Also, been generally happy with a positive outlook helps too.
So here's to your health
May you be well and happy
May you be free from suffering.
Below are 10 signs that are potential cancer warnings:
- Frequent Fevers or Infections:
These could be signs of leukaemia, which is a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukaemia causes the marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells. These 'bad' white blood cells crowd out the healthy white blood cells and inhibit the body's infection-fighting capabilities. Leukaemia is often only diagnosed after the patient has visited their doctor a number of times complaining of fever, aches, and flu-like symptoms.
- Stomach problems:
Stomach cramps, bellyaches or frequent upset stomachs may indicate colorectal cancer. Many doctors wrongly first treat this as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a stomach ulcer. A persistent stomach pain should never be ignored as it can also be the first sign of tumours developing on your liver. If your stomach problems persist, request that you have an ultrasound to see if there are any signs of intestinal tumours.
- Chronic fatigue and general weakness:
If good rest and relaxation does not solve your feeling of exhaustion, go see your doctor. Generalised fatigue and weakness can be symptoms of many different kinds of cancer, especially when it occurs in combination with other symptoms. Chronic fatigue can be an early indication of leukaemia.
- Changes in fingernails:
The fingernails are good indicators of general health. Any unexplained changes to them could indicate the onset of various types of cancers. A brown or black streak or dot under the nail can indicate skin cancer. Enlargement at the ends of the fingers, with nails that curve down over the tips, can be a sign of lung cancer. Pale or white nails can indicate that your liver is not functioning properly and can signal the early onset of liver cancer.
- Sudden weight loss:
Any sudden unexplained weight loss that's not attributed to changes in diet or exercise needs closer examination. It could be diabetes or it could be an early sign of colon or other digestive cancers. It is also a sign that the cancer may have already spread to the liver. This will affect your appetite and your body's ability to rid itself of waste.
- Chronic heartburn:
Anybody can get heartburn, but if it is persistent or if you have a constant low-level of pain in your chest after eating go see your doctor - it could be for oesophageal cancer. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid rises into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and an acidic taste in the throat. This can trigger a condition called Barrett's oesophagus, which can be a precursor of oesophageal cancer.
- Chronic acidic stomach or feeling full after a small meal
The most common early sign of stomach cancer is pain in the upper or middle abdomen that feels like trapped wind or heartburn. Stomach cancer is often aggravated by eating and you may feel full even when you haven't eaten much. Unfortunately the pain can be relieved by antacids, which gives the false impression that you had too much stomach acid. If you have frequent bouts of stomach acidity, abdominal pain, or a full feeling after meals, especially after a small meal go see your doctor.
- Bowel problems:
Constipation, diarrhoea, and changes in stools are common and are usually diet-related, however they can also be signs of cancer. If it has persisted for more than a few days without having any obvious cause like flu or food poisoning, you should go see your doctor. Colon cancer can cause more frequent stools, as well as a feeling of not having the bowels emptined completely. Pancreatic cancer causes fatty stools, which are frequent, large stools that are paler than normal and also very smelly. This is a sign that your body's not absorbing your food properly, and it you should bring it to your doctor's attention straight away.
- Difficulty swallowing and/or hoarseness:
Both these symptoms are commonly associated with oesophageal or throat cancer. Difficulty swallowing can sometimes also be one of the first signs of lung cancer. A hoarse or low, husky voice or the feeling of something pressing on the throat, or that something is stuck in your windpipe can be early indicators of thyroid cancer or a precancerous thyroid nodule.
- Wheezing and/or breathlessness
People sometimes think of these symptoms as asthma, and many doctors may treat it as such. However, it may also be a precursor to lung cancer. If you feel like you can't cross the street without wheezing and you've never had asthma before, go see your doctor. Also, thyroid cancer can cause breathing problems when a nodule or tumour begins to press on the trachea, or windpipe. If you have any persistent breathing difficulties you should always go see your doctor.
Of course, you don't want to be running to your doctor every 5 minutes because you exhibit 1 or more of these symptoms. Sometimes it may be nothing.The trick is recognising your baseline state of health, and becoming aware of anything that deviates from that. if it persists longer than it should normally, then go see your doctor.
You can also make it harder for cancer to grow by having a healthy diet with regular exercise. Also, been generally happy with a positive outlook helps too.
So here's to your health
May you be well and happy
May you be free from suffering.
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