Cancer Warning Signs

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KEY POINTS

• Not all cancers have early signs or symptoms, and some signs and symptoms do not seem serious.
• Learn what to watch for to help find cancer early and increase the chance of a cure.

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Not all cancers have early signs or symptoms. Sometimes early warning signs and symptoms do not seem serious. Learning what to watch for can help find cancer early, which can greatly increase the chance of a cure.

The American Cancer Society has identified several general warning signs of cancer, including:

• Losing weight when you aren’t trying to
• Fever that is not caused by a known illness, such as the flu
• Tiredness that lasts day after day for a week or longer
• Pain that is not caused by a known problem, such as an injury
• Changes in your skin, such as dark areas, reddened skin, yellow skin or eyes, itching, or extra hair growth

Other warning signs for different kinds of cancer include:

• A change in bowel or bladder habits
• Indigestion that does not go away or trouble swallowing
• A lump or thickened area in the breast or other parts of your body
• Changes in the way a wart or mole looks
• A sore that doesn’t heal
• White patches on the inside of your mouth or on your tongue
• Coughing or hoarseness that does not go away
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Discharge from any part of your body

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these warning signs. They do not necessarily mean that you have cancer, but you should be checked.

For more information, contact:

• American Cancer Society, Inc.
  800-227-2345
  http://www.cancer.org
• National Cancer Institute
  800-422-6237 (TTY: 800-332-8615)
  https://www.cancer.gov/