Even though cancer research is progressing at an astonishing rate, oncologists still believe that there will be over 1.7 million new cancer cases within the year 2018. Many different types of cancer currently have no known treatment, but catching the symptoms early will drastically improve a patient’s prognosis. If this is something that you’re concerned about, here are a few unusual symptoms that everyone should keep an eye out for.
Changes in Bowel or Bladder Habits
Quite a few different types of cancer will impact an individual’s bathroom habits. That includes cancer of the colon, stomach, cervix, testicles, and intestines. Cancerous masses inflame the nearby soft tissue, and tumors in the midsection will eventually press against the digestive tract when left untreated. Cancer patients often feel the need to use the restroom just about every few minutes, and they might begin to notice changes to their stool and urine as well.
Lumps
Just because you found a new lump under your skin doesn’t mean that you have cancer. Bumps under the skin can be caused by hundreds of different medical conditions, and they are generally benign. That being said, adult patients should regularly check a few different areas of their body for any unusual masses of tissue. Most experts agree that the breasts and testicles should be checked at least once a month for lumps. However, this is something that you can do yourself so talk to your doctor about the proper way to go about doing that.
Sores That Won’t Heal
Any medical condition that compromises your immune system will also have an impact on your body’s healing process. When all of your white blood cells are sent to a tumor, wounds on the outer layers of your skin might take weeks to heal. As a general rule, minor lacerations should close up within a few days as long as they are cleaned and covered. Allowing germs to get into a wound will increase your risk of an infection that further compromises your immune system.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Many people don’t realize that sudden weight loss is one of the most dangerous side effects of cancer. As the disease progresses, it becomes nearly impossible to stay at a healthy weight because of the calories that the cancerous cells burn. Sudden weight loss can be caused by many different health conditions, and it is important to address this symptom as quickly as possible in order to prevent a nutritional deficiency.
Headaches
Now, don’t think that every time you feel pain in your head that you have some sort of cancer. In fact, cancer is not a common cause of head pain. When it is a symptom, however, it may feel intense—like an aneurysm—and be unrelenting. It can go on for days or weeks. Use over-the-counter medication and if the pain persists, then you should contact your doctor. He or she will be able to help find the root cause, whether or not it is truly cancer, and help to ease your pain. If it is cancer, they will be able to direct you towards medical services that will aid you in the healing and recovery process.
Remember, if the pain goes on for an unreasonable period of time (think five days or more), then don’t hesitate to seek help. Doing so could worsen your condition if you do have cancer.
If you have recently noticed any of these signs or symptoms, then you must immediately schedule a comprehensive checkup with a reputable cancer center. There are now dozens of amazing treatment options for patients who catch cancer in its earliest stages. Many of these treatments prevent cancerous cells from spreading, minimize discomfort, and improve a patient’s overall quality of life.
