Cancer can start in almost any tissue or organ in the body and is characterized by the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells. It is the second leading cause of death around the world, accounting for around one in every six deaths annually. The most common types of cancer in men are colorectal, prostate, lung, and stomach cancer. In women, it is breast, colorectal, thyroid, and cervical cancers. Survival rates depend on factors such as early detection and adequate treatment. Recognizing the early symptoms of cancer can lead to early detection, which significantly increases your chances of recovery. In this article, we will look at five early symptoms you should be aware of, as well as the personal experience of people on Reddit.
The Importance of Recognizing Early Symptoms of Cancer
The earlier that a cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options are available to the patient. Early diagnosis can significantly improve outcomes across many different types of cancer. If caught at stage 1, 90% of colon cancer diagnoses can effectively be addressed. In lung cancer, a stage 1 diagnosis has a 60 to 70% chance of recovery. However, that number plummets to ~7 at a stage 4 diagnosis. In almost every type of cancer, the survival rates drop dramatically if the diagnosis is delayed. With an early diagnosis, patients can receive potentially less aggressive treatments and have a higher chance of survival.
Changes in Moles
In the United States, the most commonly diagnosed cancer is skin cancer. According to one Redditor, “Any mole that changes at all! Sister died with melanoma at 22 and died at 30 all because of a mole not getting checked and removed at the first sign.” Melanoma is the most life-threatening type, yet, if caught early, it is also very treatable. A significant early warning sign of this type of cancer is a change in the appearance of your moles. This includes any changes in texture, color, shape, and size. While easily treated in the early stages, if a diagnosis is delayed, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body. This makes treatment much more challenging. Therefore, it is important that you regularly examine your moles for any changes in addition to having them looked at by a professional.
Read More: 5 Cancer Symptoms To Look Out For When You Eat
Lumps in the Breast
In the United States, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among women. As a Reddit user recalled, “A friend of mine noticed a small lump in her breast. She was breastfeeding her infant so she figured it was a clogged duct. A few months later she had it checked out when it didn’t go away. By then it was stage 4. She didn’t make it.” After lung cancer, it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. One of the early symptoms of breast cancer is a lump in the breast. Very often, these lumps are painless, which can delay a person’s urgency to receive any medical attention. Some people may also initially dismiss them as conditions, such as blocked milk ducts and cysts can also cause lumps. However, the presence of any new lump should be evaluated by your doctor so that they can determine its cause. Regular self-examinations and mammogram screening are recommended to help catch these symptoms early.
Unexplained Fatigue
One of the early symptoms of cancer, prominent across multiple types of the disease, is persistent fatigue. As a Redditor noted, “Bizarrely enough extreme fatigue is often an indicator of cancer.” Whereas normal fatigue usually goes away after getting some rest, this type of fatigue is a type of exhaustion that doesn’t go away. It can get so bad that it affects your ability to concentrate or perform normal everyday activities. It is thought that you may feel tired because your body is diverting all its energy to fighting that cancer. However, because there are so many things that can potentially cause fatigue, it is often dismissed. But if your fatigue is persistent and doesn’t go away, even after rest, you should have yourself medically examined.
Read More: 20 Subtle Cancer Symptoms That Are Commonly Missed by Women and Men
Blood In the Stool
Even though blood in the stool could result from anal fissures or hemorrhoids, it could also potentially be a sign of colorectal cancer. As one user of Reddit said, “Blood in my stool. Doctors kept saying it was hemmoroids. Stage 4 colon cancer at 31.” Even though it is typically associated with older people, it can actually occur at any age. Therefore, it is important not to ignore these early symptoms of cancer simply because of your age. The current medical guidelines suggest that people start going for colorectal cancer screenings from the age of 45 onwards. However, based on certain risk factors, it may be better to start screening at an earlier age. These factors include the presence of various genetic syndromes, IBD, or family history of colorectal cancer.
Back Pain
As with many of the other early symptoms of cancer on this list, back pain is often dismissed as being caused by something less serious. One Redditor noted that “My mom had lower back pain. She thought it was a result of a former injury. Turns out it was likely caused by the cancer.” For example, back pain could be caused by arthritis, herniated discs, or even just muscle strain. However, various cancers, such as kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, spinal tumors, and multiple myeloma, can all cause back pain early on. This type of back pain also typically gets worse at night or when the person is lying down. If your back pain gets progressively worse over time and is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fatigue, neurological changes, or weight loss, you should seek medical attention.
The Bottom Line
In the early stages of cancer, the symptoms can often be subtle and easily confused as resulting from something else. This is apparent from several people’s personal experiences on Reddit. However, if they persist after receiving conventional medications, it may be a good idea to have yourself examined. Being aware of the above early symptoms of cancer could help lead to an early diagnosis. The early stages of cancer are the best time to receive treatment, because they are typically less aggressive and respond better. Don’t wait until it is too late! If you are unsure, rather go for an examination than let it progress to a point where treatment options are few and survival rates are lower.
Read More: People on Reddit Describe The Weirdest Side Effect They’ve Ever Experienced From Medication
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.
Attention: These stories are based on posts found on Reddit. Reddit is a user-generated social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website where registered members submit content to the site and can up or down vote the content. Our staff cannot confirm the accuracy and authenticity of each story.
