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5 Signs You Might Have A Deadly Form Of Cancer

If you notice this, get checked out right away.
FACT CHECKED BY Alek Korab

Everyone is worried about potentially getting cancer, since it is a terrible disease that claims many lives each year. However, not everyone might know the symptoms of cancer. If you or a loved one have one or more of these symptoms, book an appointment with a doctor right away. The earlier cancer is caught, the more likely you are to survive. Read on to discover 5 key signs—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

1

You May Have Lumps or Swelling

Swollen Lymph Nodes
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One of the most common and well-known symptoms of cancer is your lymph nodes swelling or finding a lump on your skin. Dr. Adrian Bloor from The Christie Private Care writes, "If you discover a new lump or swelling which does not go away after a few days, then the recommendation is to seek medical attention so that it can be thoroughly assessed. It could be an early indicator of blood cancer."

2

You May Have Blood In Stools

woman hand flush toilet after using
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A common sign of cancer is blood showing up where it shouldn't be, and it often will show up in stools. Laura J. Martin, MD, writes for WebMD that, "Cancer can make blood show up where it shouldn't be. Blood in your poop is a symptom of colon or rectal cancer. And tumors along your urinary tract can cause blood in your urine."

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3

You May Have Weight Loss

Female leg stepping on floor scales
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Weight loss can be a sign of cancer. Specifically, unexpected or unplanned weight loss. According to WebMD, "Almost half of people who have cancer lose weight. It's often one of the signs that they notice first."

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4

You May Have Fatigue

Young woman falling asleep in bed with drink in hand
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People with cancer will experience fatigue and feeling tired often. However, the type of fatigue that is a symptom of cancer is a lot different than just regular tiredness. Lisa Fayed and Doru Paul, MD write for Verywellhealth.com that, "It's important to define the type of fatigue that could be the first symptom of cancer. Cancer fatigue isn't ordinary tiredness. It's not usually the kind of sleepiness that you can push through by getting a good night of sleep, or with a cup of coffee." They continue, "People describe this type of fatigue as 'whole-body tiredness.' It's also something that often disrupts life. People become frustrated at their inability to participate in normal activities and find that their tiredness is impacting their jobs and relationships."

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5

You May Have Long Fevers

Fevers aren't just symptoms for colds and flu viruses, they can also be cancer symptoms. However, cancerous fevers last for a couple of days. According to WebMD, if a fever "is high or lasts more than three days, call your doctor." They say that fevers are a sign of blood cancers, like lymphoma. Contact a medical professional if you feel any of these symptoms, to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Anna Bechtel
Anna Bechtel is a freelance writer currently based in Hamden, CT. Read more about Anna
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