15 Possible Signs of Cancer That Deserve Medical Attention

These are not diagnoses — but red flags that deserve evaluation.

1.Unexplained weight loss (10+ lbs)	Pancreatic, stomach, lung, or thyroid cancer
2.Fever or night sweats (long-lasting)	Lymphoma, leukemia
3.Fatigue that won’t improve with rest	Many cancers due to immune response or anemia
4.Pain that persists or worsens	Bone, brain, or advanced tumors
5.Lump or thickening anywhere (breast, neck, armpit, testicle)	Breast, lymph node, or testicular cancer
6.Skin changes (new mole, color change, non-healing sore)	Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma
7.Sores that don’t heal (mouth, genitals, skin)	Oral, cervical, or skin cancers
8.White patches inside mouth (leukoplakia)	Pre-cancerous condition linked to tobacco use
9.Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, blood)	Colorectal cancer
10.Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)	Esophageal or throat cancer
11.Persistent cough or hoarseness	Lung or thyroid cancer
12.Blood in urine or stool	Bladder, kidney, or colorectal cancer
13.Indigestion or trouble eating (long-term)	Stomach or esophageal cancer
14.Unusual bleeding (vaginal, post-menopausal, after sex)	Cervical, uterine, or endometrial cancer
15.Headaches that are new, severe, or worse in the morning	Brain tumor (rare, but worth checking)

Again: None of these mean you have cancer. But if any last more than 2–3 weeks, talk to your doctor.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Certain factors increase cancer risk — but anyone can be affected.

Smoking & tobacco use	#1 preventable cause — linked to lung, bladder, throat cancers
Family history	Some cancers run in families — share your history with your doctor
Age over 50	Risk increases with age — screenings become critical
Sun exposure	Major cause of skin cancer — wear sunscreen
Obesity & poor diet	Linked to colorectal, breast, and other cancers
Chronic infections	HPV (cervical), Hepatitis B/C (liver), H. pylori (stomach)

Prevention includes vaccines (like HPV), screenings, and lifestyle choices.

If a symptom concerns you, your doctor may recommend:

Physical exam	Check lumps, swelling, or abnormalities
Imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)	Look inside the body for masses
Biopsy	Remove tissue sample for lab analysis
Blood tests	Screen for markers, organ function, or anemia
Colonoscopy, Mammogram, Pap Smear, etc.	Routine screenings based on age and risk

Most people who get checked find nothing serious. But catching something early can save your life.

“Only smokers get cancer”	False — non-smokers get cancer too
“If I feel fine, I’m safe”	Many cancers have no symptoms early on
“Cancer always causes pain”	Not true — early stages are often painless
“Natural remedies can cure cancer”	Dangerous myth — delays real treatment

You don’t need to live in fear of every ache or odd feeling.

But if something keeps showing up — and won’t go away — don’t ignore it.

Because real courage isn’t pretending you’re fine.

It’s saying:

“I value my health enough to ask: ‘Should I get this checked?’”

Buy vitamins and supplements

And that one question? It could change everything.

So make the call. Schedule the appointment. Get peace of mind — or early treatment.

Because when it comes to your health, there’s no such thing as being “too careful.”