Cancer can impact different body tissues and result in a variety of signs and symptoms, including exhaustion, skin changes, weight loss, and a persistent cough. Anyone who has symptoms that are bothersome or persistent should see a doctor.
Cancer was the second most common cause of death in the US in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Diagnostic procedures can be used by medical professionals to spot malignancies in their early stages. When a person obtains their cancer diagnosis early, their chances of successfully undergoing treatment increase.
In this post, we’ll talk about generic cancer warning signs that are specific to men, women, and cancer types.
Warning signs of cancer in women
Endometrial, cervical, and breast cancers are among the cancers that are particular to or more prevalent in women. warning indicators consist of:
Breast changes
It is essential for women to be familiar with the size, texture, and form of their breasts because breast cancer frequently results in apparent changes in the breast tissue.
Among the breast changes to watch for are:
- dimpling or puckering of the breast skin or nipple
- nipple discharge
- redness, swelling, or tenderness of the breast skin or nipple
- changes in the size or shape of the breast
Vaginal bleeding between periods
If women with regular periods suffer vaginal bleeding or spotting outside of their cycle, they should speak with their doctor. Regular vaginal bleeding could be a sign of cervical or endometrial cancer.
If a woman who has experienced menopause experiences vaginal bleeding, she should get medical help right away.
Cancer is not usually the cause of spotting. Spotting can also be brought on by hormonal birth control, long-term medical issues, and stress.
If spotting is present along with any of the following symptoms, women should think about getting emergency medical help:
- fever
- abdominal or pelvic pain
- dizziness
- fatigue
- muscle aches
- heavy bleeding
Warning signs of cancer in men
Men are more likely than women to experience some cancer warning symptoms. These may consist of:
Testicular lumps
Despite the rarity of testicular cancer in men, the number of new diagnosis is rising globally. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 9,560 Americans will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2019.
A testicular lump that is hard and painless is a sign of testicular cancer. These are some more signs of testicular cancer:
- swelling or pain in a testicle or scrotum
- a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- pain in the groin
- a dull ache in the lower back or abdomen
Bowel changes
Consistent changes in bowel habits may be a sign of colorectal malignancies, which are tumors of the colon or rectum.
Constant stomach pain and recurrent diarrhea or constipation are symptoms of colorectal cancer. Additional signs include:
- thin stools
- unintentional weight loss
- fatigue
- anemia
- excess gas or bloating
Rectal bleeding
Internal bleeding can be brought on by colorectal cancer. Blood may be evident in the stools or they may appear darker than usual.
Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding are not always signs of malignancy. Bleeding can be brought on by hemorrhoids, ulcers, and other gastrointestinal conditions.
Men should seek medical attention right away because this symptom may indicate a dangerous medical condition, so they shouldn’t ignore it.
Urinary changes
Changes in urination patterns are a sign of bladder and prostate cancer.
The urinary tract can be affected by both types of cancer, which might result in the following symptoms:
- difficulty initiating urination
- difficulty emptying the bladder
- frequently feeling the need to empty the bladder
- incontinence or involuntary urination
- blood in the urine
