Symptoms of the Common Cancers

Each year statistics show that the number ofIf breast cancer is not treated it can quickly
cancer cases newly diagnosed continues to risespread to the nearby lymph nodes and then to
however advances in diagnostic procedures andother organs, such as the lungs, liver and bones
treatments means that more and more lives arewhere it causes additional symptoms. Breast
being saved. Not surprisingly, even more peoplecancer statistics suggest that the number of
could survive cancer if they knew the commonnewly diagnosed cases remains steady however
signs and symptoms to look for because thethe number of deaths is falling. This may be
earlier that cancer is diagnosed the better thebecause of advances in treatment however it
chance of curing it.may also be because breast cancer awareness is
This article will outline the main symptoms thatnow one of the major subjects in the public eye.
are often experienced by sufferers of the mostLung Cancer Symptoms
common forms of cancer. These symptoms canThe symptoms of lung cancer depend on how far
vary between people and so it may be that whileadvanced the tumour is however the initial
some people experience all of the symptomssymptoms may include:
others may only have one or two.� A new persistent cough, or a change in
Most common cancer in malesa long standing cough, sometimes with
� Prostate cancerblood-streaked sputum
Most common cancer in females� Chest pain which may be felt as a dull
� Breast cancerache or as a sharp pain that is worse on inhaling
Most prevalent cancers common to both males� Shortness of breath
and females� Wheezing if the tumour is blocking an
� Lung cancerairway
� Colon/rectal cancer� Abnormal curvature of the finger nails,
Below are the most common symptoms that aknown as clubbing
sufferer of these cancers may experience andSecondary lung cancer i.e. cancer that originates
which may help to secure an early diagnosis:elsewhere in the body and travels to the lungs,
Symptoms of Prostate Cancermay not cause any symptoms or alternatively
The early symptoms of prostate cancer arevery mild symptoms and so anybody
often ignored until they start to become aexperiencing even slight symptoms should consult
nuisance. These symptoms include:a doctor as soon as possible.
� An inability to urinate even though theColon Cancer Symptoms
sufferer has an urge to goAgain colon cancer can remain undetected for a
� Prolonged urination that may takenumber of years and any early symptoms are
longer than normal to completeattributed to other less serious conditions. The
� Frequent urination that gets worsesymptoms to look out for include:
during the night hours� The presence of blood in the stools
� The feeling of needing to pass more� Anaemia i.e. pale skin, tiredness etc.
urine even though there is none left� A change in normal bowel movements
� Slight incontinence caused by thethat last longer than a few days
bladder failing to release the last drops of urine� A feeling of needing another bowel
Unfortunately the same set of symptoms can bemovement even though you have just been
caused by at least two other prostate complaints� Other digestive symptoms i.e. nausea,
and so a diagnosis of prostate cancer is oftenvomiting, bloatedness, stomach cramps or a
delayed i.e. it is masked by one of the other twoconstant stomach ache, trapped gas.
conditions.Even though these symptoms are described as
Symptoms of Breast Cancerearly symptoms they are in reality late
It is very rare for breast cancer symptoms tosymptoms and more often than not the cancer is
become apparent in the diseases early stages.in a late stage when it is finally diagnosed. In some
When symptoms do occur they usually onlycases the primary tumour i.e. that in the colon,
affect one breast and may include:fails to exhibit any symptoms at all and the
� A lump in the breast which is usuallysufferer only realises they are ill when the cancer
painless and may be located deep within thespreads to other areas of the body and
breast tissue or just under the skinsecondary symptoms are felt there.
� Dimpling of the skin in the area of theAndrew Daigle is the owner, creator and author
lump, or swelling of the skin with anof many successful websites including
�orange peel' appearanceCancerAbout, a Cancer Resource site and a
� Inversion of the nippleMesothelioma Lawyer Resource site.
� A bloodstained nipple discharge