An explanation of the 17 signs and symptoms of cancer
1. Abnormal periods or pelvic pain
Most women occasionally have irregular period or cramps. But ongoing pain or changes in your cycle can be a sign of 子宫颈癌, 子宫内膜癌 or 卵巢癌.
2. Changes in bathroom habits
Major changes in bodily functions can indicate 结肠癌, 前列腺癌 or 膀胱癌，以及其他癌症. Important signs to be aware of include persistent constipation or diarrhea; black or red blood in your stool; black, tarry stools; more frequent urination; and blood in your urine.
3. 腹胀
We all feel bloated now and then. But bloating for more than two weeks can be a sign of 卵巢癌，以及各种 gastrointestinal cancers.
4. 乳房变化
These include a new lump, dimpling, discoloring, changes around the nipple or unusual discharge. 虽然 乳腺癌 mostly occurs in women, men can develop it too.
5. 慢性咳嗽
A cough that persists for more than two weeks, especially a dry cough, can be a sign of 肺癌.
6. 慢性头痛
A headache that lasts more than two weeks and doesn't respond to the usual medications can be caused by a 脑瘤.
7. 吞咽困难
If you feel as though food is getting stuck in your throat or you have trouble swallowing for more than two weeks, 这可能是一个征兆 喉癌, 肺癌 or 胃癌.
8. 过度的瘀伤
A bruise on your shin from bumping into the coffee table is normal. But suddenly getting a lot of bruises in unusual places you don’t remember bumping 可指示各种 blood cancers.
9. Frequent fevers or infections
Spiking a fever over and over or going immediately from one infection to the next can indicate an immune system that's been affected by 白血病 或淋巴瘤 (何杰金氏病 or 非霍奇金).
10. 口腔变化
持续的疼痛, lesions or painful areas in the mouth, especially in people who smoke or drink heavily, 可指示各种 口腔癌.
11. 皮肤的变化
Any changes in the appearance of a mole or birthmark could be indicative of skin cancer and should be evaluated. To remember which changes could be cause for concern, try using this memory aid, ABCDE.
- 不对称. One half of the mole or mark doesn't look like the other.
- 边境. The edges are irregular or blurred.
- Color. It’s varied or inconsistent, and it’s both black and brown.
- 直径. It’s larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
- 不断发展的. It grows, bleeds or otherwise changes over time.
12. 持续的痛苦
Persistent pain anywhere in your body that has no clear cause and doesn't respond to standard treatments should be evaluated.
13. 持续的疲劳
突然, lasting change in your energy level, no matter how much sleep you get, can be a sign of lymphoma or 白血病.
14. Postmenopausal bleeding
There are a number of reasons you may experience bleeding after menopause, 但如果这种情况持续下去, your doctor may want to check for 子宫颈癌 or 子宫内膜癌.
15. 胃痛或恶心
Unusual stomach discomfort that lasts more than two weeks can be a warning sign of 肝癌, 胰腺癌 or various digestive system cancers.
16. Unexplained weight loss
In most people, weight goes up and down. But losing weight when you're not trying or losing your appetite for what seems like no reason can potentially indicate many types of cancers, especially ones that have spread.
17. 不寻常的肿块
Any new lump or mass that doesn't go away should be evaluated. 淋巴结, the small glands in the armpits, groin and neck that produce white blood cells to help fight infection, often become swollen when you have a cold. But if the swelling persists after you’re well, you should contact your doctor.
