Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
Cancer symptoms vary depending on the type, location, and stage of the disease. Many early symptoms may be subtle, so being aware of unusual or persistent changes in your body is important.
Not all symptoms mean cancer, but early detection can improve treatment outcomes.
🧍♀️🧍♂️ Common General Signs and Symptoms
These symptoms can occur with many types of cancer:
| Symptom |
Possible Cause or Cancer Type |
| Unexplained weight loss | May indicate cancers of the stomach, pancreas, lung, or esophagus |
| Persistent fatigue | Leukemia or cancers that cause internal bleeding |
| Pain that doesn't go away | Bone, testicular, or other cancers |
| Fever | May occur in cancers like lymphoma or leukemia |
| Skin changes | Skin cancer, liver cancer, internal cancers affecting hormones |
| Changes in bowel or bladder habits | Colon, bladder, or prostate cancer |
🔬 Specific Symptoms by Area
🟣 Breast Cancer
- Lump in the breast or underarm
- Change in breast size/shape
- Nipple discharge or inversion
- Skin dimpling or rash on breast
🟠 Lung Cancer
- Persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Hoarseness
🔵 Colorectal Cancer
- Blood in stool or black/tarry stools
- Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation)
- Abdominal discomfort
🔴 Prostate Cancer
- Difficulty urinating
- Weak urine stream
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pelvic discomfort
🟢 Skin Cancer (Melanoma)
- New or changing mole
- Asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colors
- Itching or bleeding skin lesion
🟡 Oral Cancer
- Sore that doesn’t heal
- Lump inside the mouth or on the neck
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- White or red patches in the mouth
🚨 When to See a Doctor
- A symptom that persists for more than 2 weeks
- A lump, sore, or skin change that doesn't heal
- Bleeding or discharge without clear cause
- Any sudden and unexplained change in your health
📢 Key Takeaway
"Don’t ignore the signs. Early action saves lives."
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth checking with your doctor—even if it's minor.
