10 cancer warning signs you should not ignore! No, Seriously!

thefruitdoctor.com

Cancer is a something that has affected me personally on 2 occasions, taking away people that meant a lot to me. If I could take back the hands of time, I would probably have started this blog earlier, but even then, the internet was not as popular as it is now, and I was too young to fully understand what cancer really meant.

The truth about cancer is that a variety of risk factors can be associated with one type of cancer. For example, smoking, a bad diet, genes, and alcohol intake are all risk factors just for breast cancer, and there is more. Before we even go on, let me define cancer just so we know what we are talking about. It is the uncontrolled growth of a cell. Like I said on an earlier post about ugly bananas, cells are supposed to continuously divide. When they can no longer do this and continue to grow, they become cancerous and can spread that inability to other cells in the body. To defeat cancer, early detection is crucial, and of course, this must have been after efforts have been made to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Studies have shown that some symptoms or warning signs are often overlooked, just because they seem normal. And men, get in here! Yeah, you. Studies have also shown that women detect these signs more than men because men would usually say ‘I have this big lump on my head the size of a lemon, but it’s nothing. When I wake up tomorrow, it would be gone’ *rolls eyes*. No! It won’t. So, if it would make things easier, ask the opinion of a woman *wink wink*.

Now, you know your body and you know what feels abnormal. So, when you do notice something (anything!), please see a doctor. Okay, to the point. These symptoms do not always mean cancer. But it would be safe to just check with a doctor. Some of these symptoms, according to the Cancer Society of America, include:

1. Changes in bowel or bladder habits: is the constipation a little too often, or is the diarrhea unusual? It may be colon or rectal cancer. Does it hurt to pass urine, is there blood, or is there a need to pitch a tent in the bathroom because of how frequent it is? That might just be bladder or prostate cancer.

2. A wound that has refused to heal: it could be in the mouth, resulting in oral cancer from smoking or chewing tobacco. (Keep an eye out for a post about smoking soon). Skin cancers often look like wounds that would not heal. So, look out.

3. Unusual bleeding or discharge: coughing blood? Lung cancer. Urinating blood? Kidney cancer. Stooling blood? Colon or rectal cancer. Blood from the nipples? Breast cancer. Vaginal bleeding when it’s not time for the red robots? Endometrial or cervical cancer. Any unusual bleeding could potentially be a risk for cancer, and should totally be checked out.

4. Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere: please do not ignore any lumps! Anywhere! Enough said. Okay, I’m not screaming at you, but please check it out? Thank you.

5. Obvious change in a wart or mole: if that mole starts to look ugly or feels different or starts to produce something, do check it out.

6. Nagging cough or hoarseness in the voice: Lung cancer! Lung cancer! Lung cancer! Or cancer of the voice box! If the cough doesn’t go after a few days, as is the case with common cold, do check it out.

7. Unexplained weight loss, indigestion or difficulty swallowing: may be a sign of cancer of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or even the lungs.

   

8. Leukoplakia: this is a condition characterized by white spots in the mouth, gum, and tongue from frequent irritation. The irritation can be caused by smoking and if not treated, can lead to mouth cancer

9. Fever: cancer can cause the immune system to malfunction causing difficulty in fighting disease, leading to fever. Could be a sign of lymphoma or leukemia.

10. Constant pain or headaches: could be cancer of the bone, or brain tumor in the case of the headaches. Back pain could be a sign of cancer of the ovary or colon.

Other signs you could look out for are numbness or tingling in parts of your body, poor appetite, extreme fatigue, nausea, and soreness of the muscles.

Value in a Second Opinion

Another thing that I would like to leave with you is the importance of a second opinion. If one doctor says there is nothing wrong, it doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion from another doctor or through a second test some months later, not a year later! Yeah, it simply cannot wait. If you can afford it, a second opinion would be nice.

Anything you would like for me to write about or explain further? Please leave a comment below or send me an email. Be safe!