Any symptom associated with cancer can also explain another condition, many of which are completely harmless. Regardless of severity, the onset of any symptom warrants in-depth evaluation.

Common Cancer Symptoms

• Blood in the Stool: Blood in the stool may indicate cancer, but more frequently indicates the presence of hemorrhoids or gastrointestinal ulcerations that are not related to cancer. Blood in the stool always warrants a visit to your doctor.
• Lumps in the Breast or Breast Discharge: Most lumps in the breasts are benign tumors or cysts (fluid filled sacs). All breast lumps necessitate a thorough evaluation.
  • Mammograms can detect the presence of a lump, but they cannot be used to diagnose a cancer. Breast cancer diagnosis generally requires a biopsy.
  • Some forms of breast discharge mar indicate breast cancer. If there is blood in the breast discharge, a visit to your doctor is recommended.
• Testicle Lumps: Approximately 90% of men with testicular cancer have a painless lump on the testicle. Swollen veins in the testicles and scrotum can also cause these lumps.
  • Men should conduct monthly testicular self-examinations.
• Changes in Bowel Habits: If you notice a change in the size and color of your stools, you should see a doctor.
• Anorexia: Cancer is sometimes associated with the inability to ingest food.
• Vaginal Bleeding or Discharge: Unusual vaginal bleeding and bloody discharge may indicate a cancer of the uterus.
  • Vaginal bleeding during intercourse warrants a visit to your healthcare professional.
• Cognitive Dysfunction: Cancer may affect patients with memory loss, the inability to multitask, speaking abnormalities, and a general inability to think clearly.
• Weight Loss: Weight loss is present with several different types of cancer.
• Anal or Genital Itching: Skin cancers frequently cause anal or genital itching.
• Headaches: Headaches have many causes. They rarely indicate cancer, but always warrant a visit to your doctor if they are severe and unrelenting.
• General Pain: Feelings of general pain, such as back pain and bloating, may indicate cancer.
  • Back pain and bloating are experienced throughout human life. But serious, persistent back pain or bloating warrants a visit to your doctor.
• Depression: The cancer experience is often associated with feelings of depression. Depression has many causes that all warrant a visit to your doctor.
• Fatigue: Feelings of tiredness, lethargy, and exhaustion often accompany the onset of cancer.
• Anemia: This disorder is characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells in the body. Anemia frequently causes iron deficiencies in the blood.
  • Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. Iron is responsible for the production of hemoglobin, a molecule designed to transport oxygen throughout the blood.
  • Bowel cancer is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia.
• Changes in Urination: If you notice changes in you urinary habits, you should see a doctor.
  • Hematuria, or blood in the urine, may indicate the presence of a cancer.
  • Bladder and kidney cancers are often accompanied by hematuria.
• Difficulty Swallowing: Swallowing difficulties may indicate a wide variety of conditions. Elderly people and people with chronic heartburn and certain esophageal disorders commonly experience difficulty swallowing.
  • Esophageal cancer is usually accompanied by difficulty swallowing.
  • Difficulty swallowing may lead to anorexia and weight loss.
  • Mesothelioma symptoms can include shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness, coughing, and weight loss.
• Sores That Do Not Heal: If you notice a sore that is not healing, you should see a doctor. Sores or discolorations in the mouth, gums, tongue, throat, and skin always warrant a visit to the doctor.

Also, it is very important to make sure that you have the proper insurance coverage. If you need a life insurance quote, make sure you shop around and identify the best plan for you. You can also browse our directory for companies that can provide cancer insurance.