Early Warning Signs of Cancer

It's important to be aware of the early warning signs of cancer—such as blood in the urine, fatigue, and easy bruising—so that if you are diagnosed with cancer, you can receive treatment as soon as possible.

While experiencing these symptoms can be frightening, it's important to keep in mind that many of them are also common signs of less serious conditions, such as an infection, an autoimmune disease, or an allergy.

In this article, you'll learn about various signs and symptoms of cancer, as well as other possible causes. You'll also get tips on how to prevent cancer and when to see a healthcare provider.

Woman with cancer sitting on couch with a mug
FatCamera / Getty Images

Is It Cancer or Something Else?

Here's a look at some of the many signs and symptoms that can indicate cancer. However, they may also indicate another disease or condition. This is why getting checked out and tested is important if you notice any of these signs and symptoms.

Fatigue

Feeling extremely tired, exhausted, and weak can have several causes, including being overworked. However, fatigue can also be a sign of cancer. People with cancer-related fatigue say it doesn't quite feel the same as being tired from daily life.

The fatigue related to cancer is an extreme lack of energy. Doing even the smallest activity, like eating, walking to the bathroom, or using a TV remote, can become a difficult task.

Cancer-related fatigue can be one of the first symptoms people have. People with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma are very likely to experience fatigue.

Fatigue is also a common symptom in several other cancers including ovarian cancer and breast cancer.

If it's not getting better with rest, fatigue could be related to cancer, especially when other symptoms of cancer are present.

Weight Changes

Sudden changes in weight can signal that something is going awry internally. Potential causes include thyroid problems, diabetes, use of certain medications, and more.

Cancer can also cause weight changes. Some people lose or gain 10 pounds or more for no apparent reason. Certain cancers can also be accompanied by eating problems. You may not feel hungry, or you may have difficulty swallowing, pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Weight loss, for example, isn't specific to a single type of cancer. It can be a sign of several cancers, including the following types:

  • Prostate
  • Colorectal
  • Gastroesophageal
  • Pancreatic
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Ovarian
  • Myeloma
  • Kidney
  • Biliary tree

Repeated Infections

Whether bacterial, viral, or other, infections can occur for a number of reasons. Working in an environment where there is a high risk of exposure, like daycares, schools, and the healthcare setting, can be why you may get infections often.

Certain health conditions that weaken the immune system can also increase your risk of getting infection. Among them is cancer.

Cancer alters the body's immune system and these changes increase the risk of infection. Some cancers can even alter the way certain immune system blood cells work. These include lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin), multiple myeloma, and leukemias.

Skin, lung, and other types of cancer may cause damage that can increase the risk of infection. This happens when cancers disrupt the body's natural barriers that help keep germs out, reduce blood flow, or block drainage.

Easy Bruising and Bleeding

Bruising and bleeding more easily than normal can have many causes. Autoimmune diseases, aplastic anemia, conditions that cause blood clots, infections, and certain medications are some examples.

One of the less likely causes of easy bruising and bleeding is blood cancer. Leukemia is a blood cancer that affects mainly white blood cells, but it can also affect other cells made in the bone marrow, namely red blood cells and platelets. A low number of platelets can be a reason for easy bruising.

The bruising may look like small red or purple spots on the skin.

Nausea and Vomiting

You could have nausea and vomiting for a wide variety of reasons. It could be due to morning sickness during pregnancy, an infection, migraines, certain medicines, GERD, ulcers, or intestinal obstruction.

Sometimes nausea and vomiting can caused by cancer. Cancers that affect the brain or abdomen (belly) are well known for causing these symptoms. This includes liver, pancreatic, and other digestive system cancers.

Urinary Problems

Blood in your urine, pain or burning upon urinating, and a need to urinate more frequently can all have multiple causes. Possible conditions responsible for these symptoms include urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis (an inflamed or irritated bladder wall), bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate (in natal males).

Another one of the many causes of urinary problems is bladder cancer. Its symptoms include blood in your urine, changes in urinary habits, and symptoms of irritation. In more advanced stages, this form of cancer may be accompanied by symptoms such as being unable to urinate, low back pain on one side, feet swelling, and bone pain.

The kidneys are the organs that make urine by filtering blood, removing waste, and regulating hormones. Possible signs of kidney cancer include, but are not limited to, blood in the urine, low back pain on one side (not due to injury), and a mass or lump on the side or lower back.

Ovarian and vaginal cancers can affect the urinary tract as well. Signs of these gynecologic cancers include peeing more frequently than normal and having a need to urinate.

Abnormal Periods or Pelvic Pain

Cervical, endometrial, and uterine cancers can cause bleeding between menstrual cycles, unusual discharge, painful menstruation, and heavy periods—but so can many other, more likely conditions such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Ovarian and uterine cancers tend to cause pelvic pain or pressure, among other symptoms. Vulvar cancer causes symptoms specific to the vulva. These can include vulvar itching, burning, tenderness, color changes, and skin changes like rash, sores, or warts.

All gynecologic cancers except vulvar cancer can disrupt the menstrual cycle. Cervical, ovarian, uterine, and vaginal cancers can all cause abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.

Lumps and Swelling

A tumor is an abnormal mass or growth of tissue that can be located anywhere in the body. These lumps can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous) tumors.

Most breast lumps are not cancer, but some can be. Breast cancer lumps are often painless and hard with irregular edges, but not always.

Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin, or other areas can be a sign of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system, can also cause itchy skin, night sweats, unexplained fever, and weight loss.

Fever or Night Sweats

Night sweats and fever can have a number of different causes. Infections are the most common cause of fever. Most can also cause night sweats. Other causes can be due to hormone changes, sleep disorders, some medications, and autoimmune disorders.

Cancer can likewise cause drenching night sweats and fever. If these symptoms are accompanied by easy bruising or bleeding, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss, talk to a healthcare provider without delay.

Breast Changes

Many natal females may see changes in breasts over their lifetime. Normal changes can occur before or during menstruation, during pregnancy, close to and after menopause, and on hormone therapy. These changes can include tenderness, swelling, and lumps.

Most breast lumps aren't cancer, but some may be. Signs of breast cancer to watch out for include these breast changes:

  • Swelling of part or all of the breast
  • Skin dimpling (may look like an orange peel)
  • Breast or nipple pain
  • Nipple retraction (turning inward)
  • Red, dry, flaking, or thickened nipple or breast skin
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk

Bloating and Abdominal Pain

Many different things can cause bloating and abdominal pain. Constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach) are some examples.

While less likely, cancer can also produce these symptoms. People with stomach cancer have been known to have bloating and abdominal pain, among other symptoms.

Pancreatic cancer may cause bloating and abdominal pain in addition to other gastrointestinal problems like indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. It can also cause middle or upper back pain.

Ovarian cancer can also cause a feeling of being full quickly, difficulty eating, bloating, and abdominal or back pain.

Digestive Problems

Foods, stomach ulcers, digestive system diseases, and medications may be the first causes that come to mind when you're having digestive problems. Among the many causes of gastrointestinal symptoms, cancer is a possibility you'll want to rule out.

Early-stage stomach cancer can give you indigestion, a bloated feeling after eating, mild nausea, loss of appetite, and heartburn. In later stages, you may have vomiting, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, stomach pain, jaundice, ascites (fluid collection in the abdomen), and difficulty swallowing.

The colon and rectum comprise a large part of the digestive system. Colorectal cancer may cause changes in bowel habits that last for more than a few days. These include diarrhea, constipation, and narrowing of the stool. Rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, and cramping or abdominal pain could also indicate colorectal cancer.

Cancers of other body systems can also create digestive problems. Constipation is one of the signs of ovarian and vaginal cancer.

Cough or Hoarseness

Several medical conditions can cause cough and hoarseness. These include laryngitis, vocal cord nodules, allergies, thyroid conditions, and even acid reflux.

Cancers of the throat, like laryngeal cancer, are another possible, albeit less likely cause. A cough or hoarse-sounding voice that doesn't improve within two weeks should be checked out by a healthcare provider, especially if you also have pain and trouble breathing or difficulty swallowing.

Cough and hoarseness are also some of the symptoms of lung cancer. Others include coughing up blood or rust-colored phlegm and chest pain that gets worse when you take a deep breath, cough, or laugh.

Chronic Headache

Headaches that occur 15 or more days a month are considered to be chronic headaches. They can have a variety of causes including migraine, overuse of pain medication, stress or mood disorders, inflammation, and injury.

It's not that likely, but chronic headaches can also be caused by a brain tumor. Brain tumor symptoms will usually be related to where the brain tumor is and include these other warning signs:

  • Seizures
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Memory loss
  • Depression and mood swings
  • Personality and behavior changes
  • Changes in learning, memory, language, communication, or concentration
  • Hearing problems
  • Balance problems
  • Vision problems
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Facial muscle weakness, numbness, or pain

Mouth Sores

White spots and sores can be canker sores, which can be caused by stress, oral trauma, hormone changes, or a lack of certain vitamins. Less common causes of mouth sores include an autoimmune disorder, bleeding disorders, weak immune system, or cancer of the mouth.

Mouth sores that could be cancer may appear as white or red patches. Other symptoms of mouth cancer include a lump or thick patch, irritation, pain or bleeding in the mouth, numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth, and difficulty moving your jaw or tongue.

Any chronic ulcer (sore) of the mouth, tongue, or throat that doesn't heal, or white areas in the mouth, should be seen by your healthcare provider.

Skin Changes

Your skin is the largest organ of the body, and since it covers your body, it's easy to see when something goes wrong. Changes in skin color, texture, and appearance can have multiple causes. Among them are normal aging, skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, certain medications, allergies, and, yes, cancer, too.

Skin cancer typically presents with moles that change color, size, or appearance. It can also appear as sores that don't heal, scaly patches, or a dome-shaped growth. The spot may itch or bleed, as well.

Problems with internal organs can also cause skin changes. Pancreatic cancer symptoms include skin that is itchy and turns yellow (jaundice).

Difficulty Swallowing

Problems swallowing can be due to many possible causes. It happens often in older adults. It can be due to narrowing of the esophagus from an infection or nervous system diseases like cerebral palsy or Parkinson's disease. Yet, it could also be caused by cancer of the head, neck, or esophagus.

Cancer Prevention Tips

If cancer runs in your family, or you have a condition that makes you more likely to develop a certain type of cancer, then it's especially important to be mindful of your risk factors. Being proactive and making healthy life choices can help you lower your risk of developing cancer. Some steps you can take include the following:

  • Exercise regularly: Research has shown that moderate regular exercise can reduce your cancer risk by at least 30%. Aim for 30 minutes a day.
  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet: A low-sugar, high-fiber diet with little or no red meat and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables is ideal. You can have fats, just make sure that are the healthy kinds (such as olive oil).
  • Quit smoking: Your risk of cancer is 15 to 30 times greater if you smoke cigarettes.
  • Limit your alcohol intake: Consuming alcohol, whether red or white wine, beer, or liquor, can increase your risk of cancer. The risk of some cancers may be higher than others. For example, three or more drinks a day can increase your risk of stomach and pancreatic cancers. Natal males who drink have an increased rate of prostate cancer. (The combination of smoking and drinking excessively has proven to significantly increase the risk of oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and other cancers.)
  • Stay on top of gynecological examinations: This includes Pap smears and mammograms. Along with HPV tests, Pap smears have been shown to reduce the number of deaths from cervical cancer.
  • Get regular mammograms: A baseline mammogram should be performed in natal females at average risk at the age of 45 years; after that, an annual or biannual mammogram is recommended. Those between the ages of 40 to 44 years can get a mammogram every year if they choose. Breast self-exams are no longer recommended, but you should still keep an eye out for unusual changes.
  • Use sunscreen: Use an SPF of 15 or higher anytime you're outdoors and avoid being outdoors during the middle of the day when the sun is at its strongest.
  • Practice safe sex: Always use a condom unless you are in a long-term monogamous relationship. The human papillomavirus (HPV) can be sexually transmitted and is associated with cervical cancer.

If several of your family members have had a specific type of cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about genetic testing. Genes for breast cancer and ovarian cancer can be identified; in some cases, measures can be taken to minimize, or even eliminate, the risk of developing these cancers.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Don't need to jump to the conclusion that changes in your health are automatically cancer. Your signs and symptoms are more likely to be caused by something else other than cancer.

Still, if you experience any signs or symptoms, don't delay seeing your healthcare provider. The sooner you find out exactly what the cause is, the faster you will be able to get the appropriate treatment.

Seeing a healthcare provider is a high priority if you have any of these problems:

  • Symptoms that are severe or last two or more weeks
  • Multiple signs and symptoms
  • Persistent pain
  • Lumps and other unusual changes

Summary

While fatigue, easy bruising and bleeding, lumps, and swelling can be an indication of cancer, these signs and symptoms will more likely be caused by something else. See a healthcare provider to find out the cause and get proper treatment.

Lifestyle measures and regular screenings can go a long way toward preventing cancer and catching it in an early, more treatable stage. Genetics, however, puts some people at higher risk of developing certain cancers. Understand your risks of cancer and talk to your healthcare provider about how you can reduce them.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Additional Reading

By Tracee Cornforth
Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues.