Cancer Symptoms You Need to Know!

If you are worried that your inability to urinate or persistent cough could be a sign of cancer, then these are the cancer symptoms you should be on the lookout for.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

The prostate, a small gland which sits near a man’s bladder has the role of producing a fluid that mixes with sperm from the testicles to make semen. Prostate cancer doesn't usually cause symptoms in the early stages, however, when prostate cancer symptoms do develop they include needing to urinate a lot at night, a stop-start urine stream, difficulty in starting to pee and/or blood in urine or your blood in semen. While it’s wise to look out for urinary symptoms, they are much more likely to be caused by a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is where the prostate becomes slightly bigger than normal. If prostate cancer has already spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic prostate cancer), it can cause symptoms such as back or bone pain that doesn’t go away with rest, tiredness and/or weight loss for no reason.

Testicular Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms can include a lump or swelling in part of one testicle, a testicle that gets bigger, a heavy scrotum (the sack of skin that surrounds your testicles) and/or discomfort or pain in your testicle or scrotum. You may also notice differences between your testicles, so be aware of any changes. These symptoms can be similar to other conditions that affect the testicles, such as infections. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer but it is important to get them checked by a doctor.

Bowel Cancer Symptoms

Possible bowel cancer symptoms can include: ‘Bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your excreta; a change in your normal bowel habit, such as loose motion; pooing more often or constipation; a lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy, more commonly on the right side; and/or a feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you need to poo), even after opening your bowels.’

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung cancer doesn't always cause symptoms in its early stages, many of the signs and symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions but finding lung cancer early can mean that it's easier to treat. So if you notice any symptoms or changes get them checked out by your GP as soon as possible. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are having a new cough or a cough most of the time, getting out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem, coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it, having an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder and/or chest infections that keep coming back or a chest infection that doesn't get better. Symptoms such as unexplained weight loss and fatigue, could also be a sign of lung cancer

Skin Cancer Symptoms

There are two main types of skin cancer: non-melanoma skin cancer which includes rarer types of skin cancer, and the more commonly known, melanoma skin cancer. It’s ultraviolet light from the sun and sunbeds that are the main cause of melanoma skin cancer, however there are some people who may be more at risk than others, such as those with pale skin. Typically, it’s moles and the changes surrounding them, that are the biggest indicator of potential melanoma. See your doctor if you notice a new abnormal mole; a mole that seems to be growing or changing; or a change to a previously normal patch of skin, also spots that bleed or don’t heal or change and become itchy may also be a skin cancer symptom.

Brain Cancer Symptoms

Brain tumours cause symptoms because they take up space inside the skull when they grow or because of their position. The symptoms can develop gradually over some months or even years if the tumour is slow growing or quickly over days or weeks if the tumour is fast growing. The brain cancer symptoms one needs to be aware of include your head hurting more often and more severely, especially in the morning or when straining; sudden shaky movements or seizures; feeling different, forgetting things, or acting weird; and/or feeling sick and throwing up for no reason.

Liver Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms are uncommon in the early stages of liver cancer. Later on you may get symptoms such as: weakness and tiredness, pain in the abdomen, swelling of the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid (ascites), pain in the right shoulder, appetite loss and feeling sick, weight loss, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), pale bowel motions.

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer rarely is found at its early stages when the chance of curing it is greatest. This is because it often doesn't cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs. In later stages, signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include, belly pain that spreads to the sides or back, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice, light-colored or floating stools, dark-colored urine, itching, new diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that's getting harder to control, pain and swelling in an arm or leg, which might be caused by a blood clot, tiredness or weakness.

Blood Cancer Symptoms

Chronic Leukemia is usually a slow-growing type and doesn't have any symptoms. A rapidly growing type of leukemia called Acute Leukemia, may cause symptoms that include tiredness, breathlessness, paleness, unexplained rash, bruising or bleeding, infections or unexplained fever, lumps and swellings, bone pain, drenching night sweats, itchy skin, unexplained weight loss.

10 Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Across the board, there are certain cancer symptoms which should never be ignored. Visit your GP if you experience any of these; although there could be another explanation, it’s worth getting checked for peace of mind at least.

- Unexplained weight loss.

-Feeling really tired all the time, even after resting.

-Regular pain without a cause, including tummy or back pain.

-Skin looking yellow, getting darker, or having sores that won’t heal.

-A change in bowel habits: peeing or pooping differently than usual.

-Having a hard time swallowing food.

-A cough, chest pain or breathlessness.

-Persistent bloating.

-A change in the appearance of moles.

-Unexplained lumps that won’t disappear.

Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency a Sign of Cancer?

Vitamin B12, found naturally in animal foods, is essential for making red cells and releasing energy from food. If you’re eating sources of vitamin B12 yet still struggling with a deficiency, then there may be a deeper-rooted issue, and having too little vitamin B12 might signal that something's not right in your body, such as cancer, but there are other more common causes - even though if it’s not a sign of cancer, but if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by pernicious anaemia, a condition where your immune system attacks healthy cells in your stomach, your risk of developing stomach cancer is increased. A drop in vitamin B12 can be a clue to doctors to look deeper for issues, as some cancers can make it hard for your body to absorb nutrients properly.

Is Heel Pain a Sign of Cancer?

Heel pain can be frustrating, but while you might be tempted to ignore the ongoing pain, it’s best to get it checked out by your GP, just in case it’s a sign of something more serious. Research published in the Oncology Letters journal has linked chronic plantar heel pain to lung cancer. However, heel pain is usually not a sign of cancer, but if it doesn’t go away, it could be a sign of something serious and need more tests.

What are Cancer Screening Programmes?

Cancer screening programmes are special checks done by doctors to find cancer early, often before you feel sick. Finding cancer early enough can help to increase the chances of getting better, quicker. These test for bowel cancer in men and women and breast cancer and cervical cancer in women. 

These programmes focus on checking for cancers in parts of the body where they often happen, like the breast, colon and cervix, to help catch them at a stage when they're more likely to be cured. In general these programmes are done via taking bloods, scans or swabs.

Each of these tests is designed to detect cancer early in people with no symptoms yet, making treatment more likely to be successful. These screenings' recommendations can depend on factors like age, sex, family history, and personal health history.

Do Blood Tests Show Cancer?

Blood tests can’t say for sure if you have cancer usually, but they can show if something might be wrong, telling the doctor to look more closely and what investigations you need.

Whether your blood tests indicate a problem, or you are experiencing one or more cancer symptoms, it’s best to rule out anything serious by booking an appointment straight away with your GP. Remember, there are several other potential reasons behind your symptoms, so don’t fear the worst outcome. However, for peace of mind, never hesitate to get checked.

Nutrition and Cancer:

It has been estimated that 30–40 percent of all cancers can be prevented by lifestyle and dietary measures alone. Obesity, nutrient deficient foods such as concentrated sugars and refined flour products that contribute to impaired glucose metabolism (which leads to diabetes), low fiber intake, consumption of red meat, and imbalance of omega 3 and omega 6 fats all contribute to excess cancer risk. 

Intake of flax seed, especially its lignan fraction, and abundant portions of fruits and vegetables will lower cancer risk. Allium (found in onion and garlic) and cruciferous vegetables are especially beneficial, with broccoli sprouts being the densest source of sulforophane - a nutrient which may help in cancer prevention. 

Protective elements in a cancer prevention diet include selenium, folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, chlorophyll, and antioxidants such as the carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin). Ascorbic acid has limited benefits orally, but could be very beneficial intravenously. Supplementary use of oral digestive enzymes and probiotics also has merit as anticancer dietary measures. When a diet is compiled according to the guidelines here it is likely that there would be at least a 60–70 percent decrease in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and even a 40–50 percent decrease in lung cancer, along with similar reductions in cancers at other sites. Such a diet would be conducive to preventing cancer and would favor recovery from cancer as well.

Cancer Preventive Ayurvedic Herbs:

Turmeric (source of the powerful flavonoid Curcumin), Ashwagandha and Triphala, which is combination of Amalaki or Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) , Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) and Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) are some of the Ayurvedic herbs which are being studied for their cancer prevention properties.