Cancer can develop in many different ways, and having one of these signs does not mean you have cancer. Many of these symptoms are caused by common, non-cancerous conditions. However, certain persistent or unexplained changes should be checked by a healthcare professional.
Here are five warning signs that may warrant medical attention:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Losing weight without changing your diet or activity level can sometimes be a sign of an underlying illness, including some cancers.
- A persistent lump or swelling
- A new lump, thickening, or unexplained swelling—especially one that grows or changes—should be evaluated.
- Unusual bleeding
- Examples include blood in the stool, urine, coughing up blood, unusual vaginal bleeding, or bleeding that has no clear cause.
- A persistent change in normal body functions
- Examples include a cough that does not go away, ongoing changes in bowel or bladder habits, difficulty swallowing, or persistent indigestion.
- Unexplained, ongoing fatigue or pain
- Severe fatigue that does not improve with rest or persistent pain without an obvious cause can sometimes be a warning sign.
Other important signs to watch for:
- A sore that does not heal.
- Changes in a mole or skin lesion (such as changes in size, shape, color, or bleeding).
- Persistent night sweats or unexplained fevers.
When to seek medical advice
Make an appointment if a symptom:
- Lasts more than a few weeks,
- Gets worse over time,
- Is unusual for you,
- Or is accompanied by other concerning changes.
Regular health checkups and age-appropriate cancer screenings (such as colon, breast, cervical, or lung cancer screening for eligible people) can also help detect some cancers early, often before symptoms appear.
