Cancer
is among the most common causes of death in adult males. While a healthy diet
can decrease the risk of developing certain cancer, other factors like genes
can play a larger role.
According
to WHO, cancer accounts for 13 percent of all deaths registered globally and 70
percent of that figure occurs in middle and low income countries.
Once
cancer spreads, it can be difficult to treat. Spotting cancer early is
important as it means treatment is more likely to be successful.
In
Nigeria, about 10,000 cancer deaths are recorded annually while 250,000 new
cases are recorded yearly. It is also worrisome that only 17 percent of African
countries are said to have sufficiently funded cancer control programmes, while
less than half of all countries in the world have functional plans to prevent
the disease and provide treatment and care to patients.
Before
we delve into some of the early signs and symptoms of cancer, most people more
often than not find it difficult to differentiate between “sign and symptom”.
A
sign
is a signal that can be seen by someone else – maybe a loved one, or a doctor,
nurse, or other health care professional. For example, fever, fast breathing,
and abnormal lung sounds heard through a stethoscope may be signs of pneumonia.
A
symptom
is a signal that’s felt or noticed by the person who has it, but may not be
easily seen by anyone else. For example, weakness, aching, and feeling short of
breath may be symptoms of pneumonia.
1.
Unexplained
weight loss:
Most people with cancer will lose
weight at some point. When you lose weight for no known reason, it’s called an
unexplained weight loss. An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be
the first sign of cancer. This happens most often with cancers of the pancreas,
stomach, esophagus (swallowing tube), or lung.
2. Fever
Fever
is very common with cancer, but it more often happens after cancer has spread
from where it started. Almost all people with cancer will have fever at some
time, especially if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system.
(This can make it harder for the body to fight infection.) Less often, fever
may be an early sign of cancer, such as blood cancers like leukemia or
lymphoma.
3. Fatigue
Fatigue
is extreme tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest. It may be an important
symptom as cancer grows. But it may happen early in some cancers, like
leukemia. Some colon or stomach cancers can cause blood loss that’s not
obvious. This is another way cancer can cause fatigue.
4.
Pain
Pain
may be an early symptom with some cancers like bone cancers or testicular
cancer. A headache that does not go away or get better with treatment may be a
symptom of a brain tumor. Back pain can be a symptom of cancer of the colon,
rectum, or ovary. Most often, pain due to cancer means it has already spread
(metastasized) from where it started.
5.
Skin
changes
Along
with skin cancers, some other cancers can cause skin changes that can be seen. These signs and symptoms include:
Darker
looking skin (hyperpigmentation),
Yellowish
skin and eyes (jaundice),
Reddened
skin (erythema),
Itching (pruritis),
Excessive
hair growth,
Signs
and symptoms of certain cancers
Along
with the general symptoms, you should watch for certain other common signs and
symptoms that could suggest cancer. Again, there may be other causes for each
of these, but it’s important to see a doctor about them as soon as possible –
especially if there’s no other cause you can identify, the problem lasts a long
time, or it gets worse over time.
6.
Change
in bowel habits or bladder function
Long-term
constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool may be a sign of
colon cancer. Pain when passing urine, blood in the urine, or a change in
bladder function (such as needing to pass urine more or less often than usual)
could be related to bladder or prostate cancer. Report any changes in bladder or
bowel function to a doctor.
7.
Sores
that do not heal
Skin
cancers may bleed and look like sores that don’t heal. A long-lasting sore in
the mouth could be an oral cancer. This should be dealt with right away,
especially in people who smoke, chew tobacco, or often drink alcohol. Sores on
the penis or vagina may either be signs of infection or an early cancer, and
should be seen by a health professional.
8.
White
patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue
White
patches inside the mouth and white spots on the tongue may be leukoplakia.
Leukoplakia is a pre-cancerous area that’s caused by frequent irritation. It’s
often caused by smoking or other tobacco use. People who smoke pipes or use
oral or spit tobacco are at high risk for leukoplakia. If it’s not treated,
leukoplakia can become mouth cancer. Any long-lasting mouth changes should be
checked by a doctor or dentist right away.
9.
Unusual
bleeding or discharge
Unusual
bleeding can happen in early or advanced cancer. Coughing up blood may be a
sign of lung cancer. Blood in the stool (which can look like very dark or black
stool) could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Cancer of the cervix or the
endometrium (lining of the uterus) can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Blood
in the urine may be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer. A bloody discharge from
the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.
10. Thickening or lump in the breast or
other parts of the body
Many
cancers can be felt through the skin. These cancers occur mostly in the breast,
testicle, lymph nodes (glands), and the soft tissues of the body. A lump or
thickening may be an early or late sign of cancer and should be reported to a
doctor, especially if you’ve just found it or notice it has grown in size. Keep
in mind that some breast cancers show up as red or thickened skin rather than a
lump.
11. Indigestion or trouble swallowing
Indigestion
or swallowing problems that don’t go away may be signs of cancer of the
esophagus (the swallowing tube that goes to the stomach), stomach, or pharynx
(throat). But like most symptoms on this list, they are most often caused by
something other than cancer.
12. Recent change in a wart or mole or
any new skin change
Any
wart, mole, or freckle that changes color, size, or shape, or that loses its
sharp border should be seen by a doctor right away. Any other skin changes
should be reported, too. A skin change may be a melanoma which, if found early,
can be treated successfully.
13. Nagging cough or hoarseness
A
cough that does not go away may be a sign of lung cancer. Hoarseness can be a
sign of cancer of the larynx (voice box) or thyroid gland
