Headaches – A Warning Sign of Brain Cancer
While typical headaches like sinus or viral fevers will subside quickly, persistent and frequent headaches that intensify over time could indicate brain cancer. These headaches often occur when the tumor is in an invasive stage and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, altered sensations, visual disturbances, speech difficulties, and weakness or clumsiness.
Bone Pain – A Symptom of Bone Cancer and Multiple Myeloma
Bone cancer is becoming increasingly common, often starting with prolonged bone pain that intensifies at night when the muscles relax. This type of cancer can originate in the bone or spread to the bone from another part of the body. The affected bone weakens and becomes susceptible to fractures.
Additionally, persistent and nagging bone pain could indicate multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells, which are integral to the immune system.
Chest and Shoulder Pain – A Warning Sign of Lung Cancer
Beyond persistent cough, shortness of breath, weight loss, fatigue, and bloody cough, chest and shoulder pain could be indicative of lung cancer. As the cancer invades nearby organs, it obstructs blood vessels and causes local irritation, resulting in pain that radiates from the shoulder and neck into the arm. The pain intensifies in the front of the chest and the back.
Pelvic Pain – A Warning Sign of Gynecological and Urinary Cancers
The reproductive and urinary organs, including the uterus, ovaries, and bladder, are all located in the pelvic region. Therefore, persistent pelvic pain, cramping, and bloating in women could indicate ovarian cancer, especially if the pain intensifies and persists. This pain typically occurs only in the advanced stages of ovarian cancer when the tumor has grown considerably.
Persistent Back Pain – A Symptom of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer often exhibits subtle or no symptoms and can go undetected due to the pancreas’s deep location in the abdomen, behind the stomach. Back pain associated with pancreatic cancer usually occurs when the tumor grows large enough to compress nearby organs, including the stomach, lungs, liver, and the pancreas itself, leading to acid reflux.
Abdominal Pain and Bloating – A Warning Sign of Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a common disease influenced by lifestyle and genetic factors. Symptoms include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, and rectal bleeding. As the colorectal tumor obstructs the passage of gas and stool, it causes abdominal distension, pain, and discomfort. Other issues associated with colorectal cancer include narrow stools, rectal bleeding, increased urination, and urgency to urinate.
