This isn't ordinary tiredness, but a deep, unshakable exhaustion that doesn't improve with rest. It can occur when the body diverts energy or when cancer causes blood loss (like in colon or stomach cancers).
3. Persistent Pain
New, ongoing pain that doesn't have a clear cause (like an injury) and doesn't go away with standard treatment. Location can be a clue:
Persistent headache (certain brain tumors).
Back pain (pancreatic, colorectal, or ovarian cancers).
Chest pain (lung cancer or leukemia, if it affects bones).
4. Unusual Lumps or Thickening
Any new lump, bump, or area of thickened tissue under the skin, especially in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes (neck, armpit, groin), or soft tissues. The key is that it is new, persistent, or growing.
5. Changes in Bowel or Bladder Habits
A persistent change in your body's routines that lasts more than a few days:
Long-term constipation, diarrhea, or change in stool caliber (colon, rectal).
Blood in urine or pain during urination (bladder, kidney).
Frequent urination (prostate).
6. Changes in Skin
While often related to sun damage, skin changes can signal skin cancer or, in rarer cases, internal cancers:
A sore that doesn't heal.
A change in a wart or mole (remember the ABCDEs: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color change, Diameter increase, Evolving).
New darkening, yellowing (jaundice), or redness of the skin.
7. Nagging Cough or Hoarseness
A cough that won't go away or hoarseness that persists for more than a few weeks without a clear link to illness. This can be a sign of lung, laryngeal, or thyroid cancers.
8. Unusual Bleeding or Discharge
Bleeding when and where it shouldn't occur:
Coughing up blood (lung).
Blood in stool or very dark stools (colorectal).
Blood in urine (kidney, bladder).
Vaginal bleeding between periods or after menopause (endometrial, cervical).
Unusual nipple discharge (breast).
9. Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
A persistent feeling that food is stuck in your throat or chest, which may worsen over time. This is a common sign of cancers of the esophagus or throat.
10. White Patches in the Mouth or on the Tongue
Persistent white patches (leukoplakia) or red, velvety patches, especially in smokers or tobacco users, can be precancerous and signal oral cancer.
Your Action Plan: What To Do If You Notice a Sign
Don't Panic. Stress is not a diagnostic tool. Many of these symptoms are caused by benign, treatable conditions (infections, cysts, stress, hormonal changes).
Observe & Document. Note when the symptom started, its frequency, and anything that makes it better or worse.
Schedule an Appointment. See your primary care physician. Be clear: "I've had [symptom] for [length of time], and I'm concerned."
Be Your Own Advocate. If the symptom persists without explanation, seek a second opinion. You know your body best.
The Most Important Takeaway
These signs are invitations to check in with your health, not reasons for immediate fear. The goal is not to live in anxiety, but in awareness. By listening to your body and partnering with your doctor, you take a powerful, proactive step in caring for your long-term well-being.
Regular check-ups and age-appropriate screenings (like colonoscopies, mammograms, and skin checks) are your strongest defense, often catching changes long before symptoms appear.
