| Each year statistics show that the number of | | | | · Inversion of the nipple |
| cancer cases newly diagnosed continues to rise | | | | · A bloodstained nipple discharge |
| however advances in diagnostic procedures and | | | | If breast cancer is not treated it can quickly |
| treatments means that more and more lives are | | | | spread to the nearby lymph nodes and then to |
| being saved. Not surprisingly, even more people | | | | other organs, such as the lungs, liver and bones |
| could survive cancer if they knew the common | | | | where it causes additional symptoms. Breast |
| signs and symptoms to look for because the | | | | cancer statistics suggest that the number of |
| earlier that cancer is diagnosed the better the | | | | newly diagnosed cases remains steady however |
| chance of curing it. | | | | the number of deaths is falling. This may be |
| This article will outline the main symptoms that | | | | because of advances in treatment however it |
| are often experienced by sufferers of the most | | | | may also be because breast cancer awareness is |
| common forms of cancer. These symptoms can | | | | now one of the major subjects in the public eye. |
| vary between people and so it may be that while | | | | Lung Cancer Symptoms |
| some people experience all of the symptoms | | | | The symptoms of lung cancer depend on how far |
| others may only have one or two. | | | | advanced the tumour is however the initial |
| Most common cancer in males | | | | symptoms may include: |
| · Prostate cancer | | | | · A new persistent cough, or a change in a |
| Most common cancer in females | | | | long standing cough, sometimes with |
| · Breast cancer | | | | blood-streaked sputum |
| Most prevalent cancers common to both males | | | | · Chest pain which may be felt as a dull ache |
| and females | | | | or as a sharp pain that is worse on inhaling |
| · Lung cancer | | | | · Shortness of breath |
| · Colon/rectal cancer | | | | · Wheezing if the tumour is blocking an |
| Below are the most common symptoms that a | | | | airway |
| sufferer of these cancers may experience and | | | | · Abnormal curvature of the finger nails, |
| which may help to secure an early diagnosis: | | | | known as clubbing |
| Symptoms of Prostate Cancer | | | | Secondary lung cancer i.e. cancer that originates |
| The early symptoms of prostate cancer are | | | | elsewhere in the body and travels to the lungs, |
| often ignored until they start to become a | | | | may not cause any symptoms or alternatively |
| nuisance. These symptoms include: | | | | very mild symptoms and so anybody |
| · An inability to urinate even though the | | | | experiencing even slight symptoms should consult |
| sufferer has an urge to go | | | | a doctor as soon as possible. |
| · Prolonged urination that may take longer | | | | Colon Cancer Symptoms |
| than normal to complete | | | | Again colon cancer can remain undetected for a |
| · Frequent urination that gets worse during | | | | number of years and any early symptoms are |
| the night hours | | | | attributed to other less serious conditions. The |
| · The feeling of needing to pass more urine | | | | symptoms to look out for include: |
| even though there is none left | | | | · The presence of blood in the stools |
| · Slight incontinence caused by the bladder | | | | · Anaemia i.e. pale skin, tiredness etc. |
| failing to release the last drops of urine | | | | · A change in normal bowel movements that |
| Unfortunately the same set of symptoms can be | | | | last longer than a few days |
| caused by at least two other prostate complaints | | | | · A feeling of needing another bowel |
| and so a diagnosis of prostate cancer is often | | | | movement even though you have just been |
| delayed i.e. it is masked by one of the other two | | | | · Other digestive symptoms i.e. nausea, |
| conditions. | | | | vomiting, bloatedness, stomach cramps or a |
| Symptoms of Breast Cancer | | | | constant stomach ache, trapped gas. |
| It is very rare for breast cancer symptoms to | | | | Even though these symptoms are described as |
| become apparent in the diseases early stages. | | | | early symptoms they are in reality late |
| When symptoms do occur they usually only | | | | symptoms and more often than not the cancer is |
| affect one breast and may include: | | | | in a late stage when it is finally diagnosed. In some |
| · A lump in the breast which is usually | | | | cases the primary tumour i.e. that in the colon, |
| painless and may be located deep within the | | | | fails to exhibit any symptoms at all and the |
| breast tissue or just under the skin | | | | sufferer only realises they are ill when the cancer |
| · Dimpling of the skin in the area of the lump, | | | | spreads to other areas of the body and |
| or swelling of the skin with an 'orange peel' | | | | secondary symptoms are felt there. |
| appearance | | | | |