Hidden dangers: Recognizing key symptoms of advanced cancer
Like many other serious diseases, cancer can remain undetected for a long time and sometimes even send misleading signals. The symptoms of the disease vary depending on its progression. It is important to know which signs should raise our awareness.
17 October 2024 08:52
Cancer diseases are classified based on their stage on a scale from 0 to 4. The most dangerous is cancer at the fourth stage, which is usually incurable and has a very poor prognosis.
This is because, at this phase, there are metastases to other organs and tissues. This is a situation that, in many cases, is irreversible. Treatment under such circumstances is exceptionally difficult.
These are the three main symptoms of advanced cancer
Research described in the journal "The Lancet Oncology" shows that patients with stage four cancer often experience three main symptoms. These are: chest pain, neck pain, and back pain. Importantly, these are characteristic of many types of cancer.
Researchers analyzed the 20 most common cancer symptoms in a group of about 8,000 people over 25 years old, who suffered from 12 different types of cancer, including bladder, colon, ovarian, lung, anal, endometrial, kidney, laryngeal, oral, prostate, pharyngeal cancer, and melanoma. The results point to specific symptoms.
These symptoms signify that cancer has already spread
It was discovered that over half of the participants with earlier stages of cancer exhibited 13 specific symptoms. These include: a changed mole, rectal bleeding, a lump in the breast, problems with the lower urinary tract, altered bowel movements, blood in the urine, chronic fatigue, hoarseness, abdominal pain, weight loss, pains in the lower abdomen, and post-menopausal bleeding. As you can see, there are quite a few symptoms characteristic of cancers.
None of the symptoms mentioned above should be ignored. Consultation with a doctor is necessary, especially if the symptoms are persistent or intensify. A quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial, as they increase the chances of recovery. Prevention is fundamental in the case of cancers.
Early detection of cancer significantly increases the possibilities for a complete cure of the disease. Starting treatment in the early stage often allows for completely curing the cancer and also preventing it from spreading to other organs.
