
The seven common warning signs of cancer include:
- Sudden weight loss in a short time.
- Change in bowel or bladder habits: Sudden onset of loose motions or constipation. Stomach, pancreatic, colon and ovarian cancers may change the bowel and bladder habits in an individual.
- A sore that does not heal: A sore/wound that does not heal is a warning sign of cancer. The sore may get bigger, have unusually shaped border and crusts or have scabs over the sore with a foul-smelling discharge.
- Unusual bleeding: Blood when passing urine or stools may be a warning sign of kidney, bladder and intestine cancers.
- Breast lump or thickening: Any mass or growth in the breasts or elsewhere should be investigated. Sometimes, the lump may be painful and contain blood or fluid.
- Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing: A constant feeling of having a lump in the throat or difficulty in swallowing needs to be investigated.
- Extreme fever with night sweats not responding to medications.
- Nagging cough or hoarseness: It may be a potential symptom of lung disease along with or without chest pain, weight loss, hoarseness, fatigue and shortness of breath.
What are the most common cancers?
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. The most common cancers include:
- In men: Prostate, lung and colorectal cancers
- In women: Breast, lung and colorectal cancers
- In children: Leukemia, brain tumors and lymphoma
How cancer is usually treated?
The most common treatments for cancer include:
Surgery: It is usually used to remove the cancerous cells from the body. The surgeon might also remove some or all of the body part that is affected by cancer. For breast cancer, part (or all) of the breast might be removed. For prostate cancer, the prostate gland might be taken out. Surgery is not used for all types of cancers. For example, blood cancers like leukemia are best treated with drugs.
Chemotherapy: These are drugs to kill fast-growing cells or slow their growth. These drugs can be given through IV (into a vein through a needle) or as an oral pill. Chemo drugs travel to all parts of the body through the blood and are especially useful for aggressive cancers.
Radiation: This method is also used to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. It can be used alone or with surgery or chemotherapy. Sometimes, it’s given by placing a “seed” inside the cancer which gives off radiation and blasts the cancerous cells.

SLIDESHOW
Skin Cancer Symptoms, Types, Images See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Top The Seven Warning Signs of Cancer Related Articles
Cancer 101 Slideshow
Learn the basics about cancer including types, causes, how it spreads, symptoms and signs, stages and treatment options. Read about the common type of cancers.Top Cancer-Fighting Foods
Experts have praised certain foods for their ability to reduce cancer risks. Learn which foods and eating strategies may help reduce your risk of developing cancer.Cancer Quiz
Take this quiz to learn the causes of cancer. Get the facts about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for the world's most common cancers.How Long a Person Can Live With Multiple Myeloma?
Since 2000, the percentage of patients living five years after diagnosis has been on the rise. With improved treatment, survival results are likely to be better. According to the American Cancer Society, the median survival rates are 62 months for Stage I, 42 months for Stage II, and 29 months for Stage III.Is Metaplasia the Same as Dysplasia?
What is the difference between dysplasia and metaplasia? Learn the symptoms of both conditions to better understand and treat them.Is Multiple Myeloma Cancer Curable?
There is no cure for multiple myeloma. Treatment for multiple myeloma can only reduce the severity of its symptoms and extend the patient’s survival by a few months or two to three years. The best treatment for multiple myeloma varies from patient to patient and is often a combination of various therapies, including immunomodulators, steroids, chemotherapy drugs, bisphosphonate therapy, blood or platelet transfusions, plasmapheresis (filtering the blood), radiation therapy, surgery, and bone marrow transplant.Lung Cancer Slideshow
Learn about lung cancer early warning signs, symptoms and treatments. What causes stage IV lung cancer? Get more information on small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and the diagnosis of lung cancer stages.Men's Cancer Symptoms
See pictures of which 15 cancer symptoms men ignore such as skin changes, difficulty swallowing, rapid weight loss, a breast mass, and more. Learn possible clues to finding and detecting cancer early.Onsolis (fentanyl buccal)
Onsolis is a strong prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid (narcotic) that is used to manage breakthrough pain in adults (18 years of age and older) with cancer, who are already routinely taking other opioid pain medicines around-the-clock for cancer pain. Side effects of Onsolis include constipation, nausea, sleepiness, vomiting, tiredness, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, weakness, anxiety, depression, rash, trouble sleeping, low red blood cell count, swelling of the arms, hands, legs and feet, as well as decreased blood pressure.What Are the Early Warning Signs of Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer, in its early stages, rarely shows any warning signs or symptoms. Due to its gradual and seemingly silent progress, stomach cancer is usually hard to detect in its early stages. Signs and symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, belly pain and others.What Is the Most Common Head and Neck Cancer?
Cancer in the head and neck region may affect your mouth (oral cavity), tongue, parts of the throat (pharynx), nose or nasal sinuses, salivary glands, gums, tonsils, voice-box (larynx) and middle ear. Globally, approximately 550,000 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC) every year.What Is the #1 Cause of Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells begin to grow uncontrollably and form tumors within the pancreas. The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. However, doctors have identified some risk factors that increase your chances of developing pancreatic cancer. These include being over 45 years old, male gender, African American race, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, regular consumption of high dietary fats, obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, family history of pancreatic cancer, and heavy exposure to certain chemicals used in the dry cleaning and metalworking industries.