1. Unexplained Weight Loss: A sudden and unexplained drop in weight can be an early sign of various types of cancer, including stomach, lung, and pancreatic cancers. If you notice a significant weight loss without any changes in your diet or exercise routine, it’s worth getting checked by a healthcare professional.
2. Persistent Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired despite getting enough rest can indicate cancers such as leukemia, colon cancer, or stomach cancer. Persistent fatigue is often one of the earliest signs and can be quite debilitating.
3. Pain: Chronic pain that doesn’t go away and cannot be explained by other conditions might be a sign of cancer. For instance, back pain can be linked to colon or ovarian cancer, while persistent headaches might be associated with brain tumors.
4. Fever: A prolonged or recurrent fever that just doesn’t go can be a sign of cancer, particularly blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. This occurs as the body’s immune response is triggered.
5. Skin Changes: Be on the lookout for changes in your skin, such as new growths, sores that do not heal, or changes in existing moles. These can be indicative of skin cancer.
6. Changes in Bowel or Bladder Habits: Any persistent changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or changes in the consistency of your stool, can be a warning sign of colorectal cancer. Similarly, changes in bladder function can be related to bladder or prostate cancer.
7. Persistent Cough or Hoarseness: A cough that doesn’t go away or a hoarse voice that lasts more than a few weeks can be a sign of lung or throat cancer.
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