The word "cancer" is enough to strike fear and sorrow in the hearts of millions of people. This disease is one of the top killers in the United States, and most of us know at least one person whose life has been changed by it. The good news is that medical science is coming closer and closer every day to finding a cure… and this makes it even more crucial that people know what to look for so they can catch the disease in time.
We've shown you before that there are ways to prevent cancer, including avoiding these foods that have been known to cause it. However, even if you do everything "right," our bodies don't always cooperate with us. That's why it's so important to know the symptoms of diseases such as ovarian cancer so that we can stop them before they become too serious. The problem, though, is that many common symptoms for cancer don't seem like anything you should worry about.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call your doctor. It might be nothing you need to worry about, but these "small" problems can often be signs of cancer. My aunt ended up saving her own life when she went to the doctor "just to be sure" after experiencing number 2 on this list. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Make sure you SHARE these symptoms with everyone you know! You could end up saving a life!
1. Unexplained Weight Changes
It's normal to experience small fluctuations in weight, but if you step on the scale and discover that the number is drastically different for what appears to be no reason, it's time to see a doctor. A buildup of fluid in your abdomen can indicate ovarian or other types of cancers and cause you to gain a large amount of weight extremely fast.
2. Swollen Lymph Nodes
If you notice your lymph nodes are a bit harder or more pronounced than normal, it might be something as simple as an infection. However, it can also be a symptom of various cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma.
3. Constant Headaches
We all get headaches every now and again, but if yours frequently last for days on end, it could be a sign of something as serious as brain cancer. If your life is plagued with headaches, make sure to see a doctor.
4. Severe Fatigue
Multiple cancers, including stomach cancer, leukemia, and colon cancer, have fatigue as one of their symptoms. If you are constantly exhausted and don't feel any better even after you rest, see a doctor to see if cancer could be the cause.
5. Constant Coughing
Even if you're not a smoker, persistent coughing can indicate lung cancer. Unless you already know you have a respiratory infection, get checked out by a doctor if you have a cough that won't go away.
6. Frequent Urination
Increased water intake can have you running to the restroom more frequently, but if you seem to be urinating more for no reason at all, it's worth getting checked for diseases such as bladder or ovarian cancer.
7. Decreased Appetite
If the thought of eating suddenly doesn't sound appealing to you, it could be an indicator of a serious problem. Many cancers, including stomach and ovarian, have decreased appetite as one of their symptoms.
8. Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can be caused by a number of conditions that are less serious than cancer, but if you find that you're experiencing pain there in addition to other symptoms on this list, it's worth getting checked for illnesses such as ovarian and kidney cancer.
9. Post-Menopausal Bleeding
If you're middle-aged and haven't had your period for a year, it's normally safe to say you've entered menopause. If you experience bleeding after hitting menopause, see a doctor. It could be a sign of ovarian or cervical cancer.
10. Rectal Bleeding
Rectal bleeding is never a good sign, but even though you might immediately think of hemorrhoids if you find blood in your stool, it's also worth getting checked for rectal cancer if you see this symptom.
11. Bloating
Lots of foods can cause us to feel a bit bloated after we eat them. However, if you have sudden, unexplained bloating that doesn't seem to be going away, it might be worth it to bring your problem to a doctor. Bloating can be a sign of many different kinds of cancers, including ovarian.
12. Changes In Your Skin
It's normal for skin to change over time. But if you see yours start to take on an odd hue or develop strange markings (such as unusual freckles), get it checked out by a doctor to make sure it's not one of the many kinds of cancers that have changes in skin appearance as one of their symptoms.
13. Frequent 'Minor' Illnesses
If you've found yourself coming down with colds or fevers more and more frequently, it's a good idea to make an appointment to get checked out by a doctor. If your immune system is compromised by a disease such as leukemia, your body might have a hard time fighting off cold and flu viruses.
14. Heartburn
Heartburn can be caused by a number of things, including stress and certain foods. If your symptoms don't go away within a week or so, though, check with your doctor to see if something such as throat or stomach cancer could be the cause.
15. Changes In Your Mouth
Especially if you smoke or chew tobacco, you should watch out for red or white patches that could appear on the insides of your cheeks or on your gums and tongue. These could be a sign of oral cancer.
Make sure you SHARE these cancer symptoms with everyone you know!
