If you’ve been progressively feeling under the weather for months, do you think it might be cancer? That’s a scary thought, but maybe your symptoms are reflecting just that.
“Depending on the cancer, people typically start to feel symptoms at later stages,” said Mary Lee Villanueva, MD, oncologist/hematologist at Avera Oncology & Hematology in Yankton, SD. “For example, ones that are hard to catch early are pancreatic, ovarian and some colon cancers.”
There are four stages of cancer, and many times people don’t have symptoms until it’s more advanced. By this time, the cancer may have spread to other body parts.
“One thing I want to note is that if a cancer spreads, it’s still just that cancer,” she said. “For example, if pancreatic cancer spreads to your liver, it’s still pancreatic cancer; you don’t have both pancreatic and liver cancers.”
Villanueva explains cancer symptoms generally felt across the board as well as symptoms that may be more specific to certain types of cancers.
What Are the General Symptoms of Cancer?
An advanced or spreading cancer might be characterized by symptoms that are unusual for you or persistent. General symptoms can include:
- Unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite
- Persistent fatigue
- Unusual lumps in soft tissue
- Ongoing and worsening pain
- Bone pain
- Neurological issues (headaches, dizziness, seizures)
Lumps, in particular, are a big indicator something is wrong. You can feel lumps in your breast, testicles, mouth or skin. They’ll have a unique feeling; it won’t be like an acne cyst which are generally soft, round and “floating” under the surface.
“Cancers are hard,” said Villanueva. “The cancer lump will feel hard, irregularly shaped, and could be fixed to a body part.”
Read more: What Does a Breast Cancer Lump Feel Like?
“Bone pain and neurological issues are particularly concerning as they may indicate the primary cancer has spread (metastasized) to the bones or the brain,” said Villanueva.
Are Some Symptoms Specific to Certain Cancers?
Some symptoms, like lumps, may be unique to certain cancers and localized to that area of the body. If you experience these cancer-related symptoms over a period, see your doctor:
- Lung cancer – a cough that never goes away, coughing up blood, chest pain
- Ovarian cancer – post-menopausal bleeding, fluid in the abdomen, abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Colon cancer – rectal bleeding, diarrhea or constipation
- Skin cancer – new moles, moles changing in color or size, cuts that don’t heal
- Bladder cancer – blood in the urine
Just because you’re dealing with one of these symptoms, it doesn’t automatically mean you have cancer. However, you should see your doctor soon to discuss abnormalities.
How to Get Screened for Cancer
That’s a lot of concerning information, isn’t it? But you can do something. There isn’t one test to screen for all cancers, but many types of cancers do have options. Getting screened early and as recommended can detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.
“If cancer is a stage 4, treatment is still available, but the cancer may not be curable,” said Villanueva. “You may be looking at ongoing treatments for the foreseeable future.”
Common Cancer Screenings
When you visit your primary care provider, talk about the screenings you might need, your family history and your habits that might contribute to cancer risk. Your provider can refer you and help you get set up for various screenings:
- Mammogram for breast cancer
- Colonoscopy for colon cancer
- Pap smear for cervical cancer and HPV
- PSA check for prostate cancer
- Low-dose CT scan for lung cancer
- Full-body skin check for skin cancer
Get Cancer Screening Info
Some cancers are found at an earlier stage, incidentally, after a fall, car accident or sports injury. These are called incidentalomas. An example: A man falls off his ladder, is injured, and a chest CT scan shows a lung mass.
“An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure,” recalled Villanueva from her medical school days. “It’s better to work on the front end of a problem rather than the back end.”
Learn About Cancer Prevention
Beyond recommended cancer screenings, your diet, exercise and lifestyle all play a part in cancer risk. Sign up for our cancer prevention email series for more tips from our experts. Or call the Avera Navigation Center 24/7 at 888-422-1410 for questions about screening options.
