Symptoms of Cancer

Symptoms of cancer can mimic other diseases. Knowing common cancer symptoms leads to early detection and saves lives.



Signs of cancer are our bodies way of telling us something is wrong.

When we pay attention to common cancer symptoms, we can be proactive in changing our lifestyles and obtaining proper medical care.


One issues is that many cancer symptoms are the same as other common ailments that are not cancerous. This is why you should not self-diagnose if you have any unusual and persistent changes in your overall health.

Cancer can be treated but the detection of cancer in its early stages is critical.

This is not easy as cancer has a dormant or silent period during its tumor growth period. This period can be months - even years - before common cancer symptoms are discovered.

In this time the cancerous cells can be doubling their size over, and over again, until they form a small tumorous growth that is detectable.

In this critical time frame, symptoms of cancer may start to appear.

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

Some early cancer signs and symptoms are:

• Trouble Swallowing
• Change of tone in voice
• A sore throat that does not go away
• Bleeding and discharge
• Bowel movements are noticeably different
• Bladder movements change
• A lump appears or the skin thickens
• A wart or mole changes color and shape
• A cough that does not go away
• Any type of sore that does not heal
• Frequent urination
• Inability to urinate
• Blood in semen and urine
• Painful ejaculation
• Burning urination
• Frequent lower back, hips, and upper thigh pain and stiffness.
• Blood in stool or urine
• Constant diarrhea or constipation
• Stomach, abdominal or pelvic pain
• Frequent feeling of being full
• Dark coloring of toe nails and finger nails
• White or red spots on the tongue, gums or any tissue in themouth
• Rough and thick areas that become crusty in the mouth could be symptoms of lip cancer
• Areas on the face that bleed after towel drying
• Red splotches on the face that appear and then disappear
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Nipple inversion or the skin of the areola changes looks and feeling
• Vaginal odor or discharge
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Red or discolored skin on the breast that may feel hot
• Shortness of breath
• New acne growth and/or increased facial hair
• Lumps on anus and vaginal areas
• Glands seem enlarged in the groin
• Growth of a tumor

Understanding Symptoms of Cancer

Many of these signs of cancer mimic other health issues, such as the flu or having hormonal disruptions. Irregular menstrual periods may be signaling the onset of menopause.

Frequent urination may indicate an over-excited bladder that is easily corrected with either medication or surgery. I actually experienced this and had to have a wire mesh inserted to help correct it.

Many common cancer symptoms are also caused by pressure on the organs from a growth, internal bleeding, or an obstruction of the esophagus and larynx. This pressure could be from the development of a tumor.

If any of the above signs occur it is imperative that you seek medical attention and ask your doctor questions.

Ask for all the tests that can be done for cancer detection, including blood screening for cancer, tissue and organ tests.