Most people, when they hear the word cancer, associate it with a dangerous disease with a fatal outcome.

But since the 70s, the survival rate has multiplied by three thanks mainly to early diagnosis.

Three diagnostic tests that could save you from cancer
And, in reality, most cancers are treatable with a favorable outcome for the patient when diagnosed before has developed too much.

The problem is that many times, because we do not want to bother the doctor or not give them enough importance, we ignore some symptoms that can be crucial for an early diagnosis.

According to a study carried out by the organization Cancer Research UK, more than half of Britons have at some time suffered one of the symptoms that could indicate the presence of cancer, but only 2% thought they could suffer from the disease and more than one a third completely ignored the alarms and did not go to the doctor.

Unexplained weight loss

Most people with cancer experience weight loss at some point. When you lose weight for no apparent reason, it is called unexplained weight loss.

An unexplained weight loss of 5kg or more can be the first sign of cancer. This occurs more frequently in cancer of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.

Fever
Fever is very common in patients who have cancer, although it occurs more often after the cancer has spread from the place where it started.

Almost everyone with cancer will experience fever at some point, especially if the cancer or its treatments affect the immune system. Less commonly, fever can be an early sign of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

Tiredness
If you suffer from constant fatigue you should consult a doctor. Fatigue is extreme exhaustion that does not improve with rest. It can be an important symptom as the cancer progresses.

However, in some cancers, such as leukemia, fatigue may occur at first. Some colon or stomach cancers can cause blood loss that is not obvious. This is another way that cancer can cause tiredness.

Skin changes
Along with skin cancers, some other cancers can cause skin changes that can be seen. These signs and symptoms include:

Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Redness of the skin (erythema). Itching (pruritus)
Excessive hair growth.

A change in bowel habits or bladder function
Constipation, diarrhea, or a change in stool size for a long time may be a sign of colon cancer.

On the other hand, pain when urinating, blood in the urine, or changes in bladder function (such as urinating more or less frequently) may be related to bladder or prostate cancers.

Wounds that do not heal
It is very important for people who smoke or drink alcohol to go to the doctor as soon as possible if they have sores in their mouth. Many people know that moles that grow, hurt or bleed can be symptoms of skin cancer, but we should also be attentive to small wounds that do not heal in more than four weeks.

A mouth sore that does not heal may be due to oral cancer. Any changes in your mouth that last a long time should be examined immediately by a doctor or dentist.

Sores on the penis or vagina could be signs of either an infection or early-stage cancer, and should be examined by a health care professional.

Bleeding
Unusual bleeding may occur with cancer in its early or advanced stages. Coughing up blood could be a sign of lung cancer.

On the other hand, if blood appears in the stool (which may be very dark in color) it could be a sign of colon cancer or rectal cancer. Cervical cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Also, blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer. A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.

Hardening or a mass anywhere on the body
Many cancers can be felt through the skin. These cancers occur mainly in the breasts, testicles, lymph nodes (glands), and soft tissues of the body. A mass or hardening can be an early or late sign of cancer.

Difficulty swallowing
If difficulty swallowing is persistent, it could be a sign of esophageal, stomach or pharyngeal cancer.
Indigestion or persistent difficulty swallowing may be signs of cancer of the esophagus (the swallowing tube that leads to the stomach), stomach, or pharynx (throat).

However, like most of the symptoms on this list, they are often caused by causes other than cancer.

Persistent cough or hoarseness
A persistent cough may be a sign of lung cancer. It is advisable to visit our doctor if we have been suffering from it for more than three weeks. Meanwhile, hoarseness can be a sign of cancer of the larynx or thyroid gland.