Early cancer warning signs you shouldn’t ignore, according to an oncologist

With more than two million new cases of cancer expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year and more than 600,000 deaths from cancer predicted, paying attention to early warning signs and even vague symptoms is vitally important.

Earlier diagnosis in almost all cases leads to more treatment options and better outcomes for those with cancer.

Endeavor Health oncologist Zahra Ismail, MD, highlights some general warning signs that should not be ignored and are cause to check with your physician.

• Unexplained weight loss, especially more than 10 pounds in a short time
• New lumps or swelling that can't be explained, including painless lumps in the neck, breast, groin or arm pit
• Persistent fatigue that is out of the ordinary and can't be explained by other lifestyle issues
• New pain that can't be explained by anything else, like an injury or accident
• A persistent change in bowel habits, including new constipation or new diarrhea
• Blood in the stool or urine (blood in stool is not always readily apparent, it may just look like darker or different color stool)
• Post-menopausal bleeding or abnormal menstrual bleeding
• Coughing up or vomiting blood (these are very significant red flags)

Early diagnosis can mean more treatment options

"Of course, most of the time the more general symptoms are likely not related to cancer, but it's still important to get evaluated," said Dr. Ismail. "Being proactive can allow for an earlier diagnosis and better treatment options."

It's common for people to delay seeking evaluation for warning signs, even growing breast lumps, before they are often encouraged by family members to see a physician, added Dr. Ismail.

Some early warning signs can mimic less serious conditions. For example, difficulty swallowing is often attributed to reflux, but could be a symptom of throat or esophageal cancer, she said.

Many people think that if something is painless, like a new lump, it's not a problem, but a new bump or bulge does not necessarily have to hurt for it to be something to have checked out, she emphasized.

"Anything new or different that you can't explain by a recent injury, especially anything persistent and worsening is reason to check with your physician" said Dr. Ismail.

Stay on top of recommended cancer screenings

Beyond recognizing warning signs, Dr. Ismail emphasizes the importance of adhering to recommended cancer screenings, which can detect cancer before symptoms develop.

These include: colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, mammography for breast cancer, Pap smea r for cervical cancer, and low-dose CT screening for lung cancer in individuals with a significant smoking history. She also encourages men, particularly those with a family history of the disease, to discuss prostate cancer screening with their physicians.

Need a primary care provider?

Preventive care starts with a trusted primary care provider, who can help you stay on top of preventive screenings, understand your personal cancer risk, and support your long-term health goals. Learn more.