Early Warning Signs of Cancer

News since last summer that raise real questions about the usefulness of screening for prostate cancer in men, and breast cancer screening in women under 50 years of age should not seem entirely negative.

It really helps to point out that in many cases it is more important for patients to be aware of some of the early warning signs of cancers. Do realize that in many cases, there may be perfectly benign causes for a particular symptom. However, consideration should be given to cancer as a possible explanation. Certainly, getting this checked out early is better than later.

Here are some common early warning signs of various cancers. Please note that most of the time, cancers do not cause pain early on. Also, enlarged lymph nodes from cancer spread are generally not tender or painful.

Brain Cancer:

• Unusual headaches, especially ones that cause vomiting or wake you up out of a sound sleep. (By unusual, I mean not a bad migraine in someone who has a long history of the same migraine headaches.)
• Personality or behavioral changes.

Throat Cancers:

• Pain, unexplained coughing or hoarseness. (Yes, GERD or "heartburn" is a common cause of cough, but so is cancer.)

Lung Cancer:

• Shortness of breath, coughing up blood.

Breast Cancer:

• Breast lump, blood or discharge from a nipple, reddened skin with the texture of orange peel, lymph node enlargement ("swollen glands") in the armpit.
• Blood from a nipple is never good.

Esophagus or Stomach Cancer:

• Loss of weight and/or appetite
• Things getting stuck during swallowing
• Feeling full easily
• dark black, tarry bowel movements
• throwing up blood

Liver Cancer:

• Nausea, bloating
• Loss of appetite, especially for cigarettes!

Colon Cancer:

• blood in your bowel movements
• sudden changes in your bowel movements
• loss of appetite and weight

Cervical, Uterine, Endometrial Cancers:

• unusually heavy bleeding
• bleeding after menopause

Ovarian Cancer:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• nausea, abdominal bloating (note how many benign things can also make you feel nauseous and bloated!)

Prostate Cancer:

• Noticeable development of difficulty getting a stream of urine started
  
• dribbling, interruption or hesitancy in stream
• Feeling like you can't completely empty your bladder
• blood in your urine

Skin Cancer:

• asymmetric border
• border that is wavy or notched
• color that is black, varied or pearly
• diameter larger than 6mm (end of pink pencil eraser)
• enlargement observed

Leukemia/Lymphoma (cancer of bone marrow or lymph nodes):

• easy bleeding or bruising
• weight or appetite loss
• lymph node enlargement
• night sweats

Please do not hesitate to see me about symptoms that may be a warning sign of cancer. You are not "taking up my time"!