While symptoms are different for each person, it is important to be aware of what is normal for your body and to speak to your doctor if any unusual changes occur.
There are over 200 different types of cancer, each with its own set of symptoms. While some signs like weight loss and fatigue are common across many cancers, others are more specific and can be easily overlooked.
Certain cancers manifest symptoms in the mouth, which should prompt a visit to the doctor. It’s crucial to know what’s normal for your body and to consult your doctor if you notice any unusual changes.
Early detection often leads to more successful treatment outcomes, reports Wales Online.
Two major warning signs of cancer that occur in the mouth include difficulty swallowing food or drink and persistent ulcers. Cancer Research UK strongly advises anyone experiencing trouble swallowing to seek medical attention immediately.
Mouth ulcers are quite common, especially when one is feeling under the weather, and they usually heal within three weeks. However, if an ulcer with a red or white patch persists beyond this period, it’s advisable to schedule a dentist or doctor appointment.
General symptoms of cancer can include severe night sweats or fever, which could be due to infections or certain medications. Nonetheless, if you experience intense, soaking night sweats or unexplained fever, it’s important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.
Unexplained bleeding or bruising, including blood in your stool or urine as well as vomiting or coughing up blood, should also be reported to a doctor. Unexplained aches and pains anywhere in your body could also indicate cancer and warrant further investigation.
Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss without trying and continuing lumps or swelling in any part of your body. This includes any lumps in the neck, armpit, groin, stomach, chest, breast or testicle.
Signs of cancer that affect individual parts of the body can be found on the Cancer Research website, alongside advice and support.
A doctor has also warned that a symptom appearing in one just ear must never be ignored. According to the expert, this could signal a brain tumour.
Doctor Amir Khan, who is known for his appearances on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, took to social media platform Instagram to explain more. In a video he urged people to get “checked out” if they notice this problem.
The advice came as part of a longer list of advice about three head and neck symptoms he “would not ignore”. The first was tinnitus or ringing in one ear.
Dr Khan stated that tinnitus in both ears isn’t usually something to worry about. But if it affects just one side, it could be linked to a condition called acoustic neuroma.
In the video, he warned: “The first thing is if you’ve got tinnitus or ringing in just one ear. Now, it’s very common to get tinnitus in both ears, and often there isn’t a great deal we can do about that.
“But if you’ve got it in one ear, that could be a sign of something called an acoustic neuroma. That’s the type of cancer that needs to get checked out.”
