The Signs of Cancer You Must Know

Confused about symptoms and signs of cancer? Here's the difference: The latter are seen by a doctor or any health care professional while symptoms are often times felt only by the patient.

Sometimes a sign can also be a symptom.

Just like with any other disease, a tumor produces visible indications. But there are types that don't show visible warning signs until they are already in their advanced stages.

Example of this is lung cancer. Signs are largely dependent on the location, size and quantity, and extent or gravity of the tumor.

The disease produces signals as the tumor grows. It exerts pressure on the other organs, blood vessels and nerves of your body.

The pressure creates the cancer symptoms first. The 7 warning signs usually appear after.

Some common types of cancer may produce similar signs.

What are the 7 warning signs of cancer?

Unexplained Weight Loss

Unexpected weight loss may both be a first sign and symptom.

Unexplained or Persistent Fever

Unexplained and persistent low grade fever is an early sign for leukemia and lymphoma.

If it recurs frequently, it is commonly associated with malignant tumor that has already spread to other parts of your body.

Abnormal Skin Growths

Unusual changes in the skin such as sores and blisters that heal slow are general signs of skin cancer.

But the signs of melanoma are different from those of the non-melanomas. Melanoma signs include changes in moles.

White Patches Inside The Mouth or White Spots on the Tongue

These white patches or spots are called oral leukoplakia. Smokers and people who use chewing tobacco may develop oral leukoplakia. These patches may develop into tumors in the mouth.

Unusual Bleeding or Discharge

Abnormal bleeding or discharges may both be warning signs and indications of metastasis. Unusual bleeding or discharge would include...

• bleeding from the rectum

• abnormal or unusual vaginal discharge between your menstrual periods, or after sexual intercourse or any time if you are already in the menopausal stage and

• unusual discharge from the nipples of your breasts.

Thickening or Lump on Any Part of the Body

A lump or lumps anywhere on your body that is or are not normal for you; meaning the lumps are not supposed to be there.

An unusual lump can be early signs of breast cancer and even tumors in the testicles.

Nagging Cough or Hoarseness

A cough that persists for more than 3 weeks could be an early indication of lung tumor.

Click to read more about warning signs of lung cancer.

Hoarseness that keeps coming back should be a matter of concern because it can mean not only tumor in your lungs but also in your larynx.

Detecting these 7 warning signs of cancer should be your priority because they usually mean a tumor that is still small and has not spread to other parts of your body. This often translates to a better chance of being cured.

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