Warning signs of cancer

Hi. I'm Dr. Chee-Chee Stucky, a surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic. In this video, we'll cover the basics of pancreatic cancer: What is it? Who gets it? What are the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment? Whether you're looking for answers for yourself or someone you love, we're here to give you the best information available. Understanding pancreatic cancer starts with understanding the pancreas. This small, fish-shaped organ sits behind the stomach, producing enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that regulate blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer typically starts in the ducts of the pancreas. Small changes in the cellular DNA result in uncontrolled multiplication and accumulation of cells in clusters called tumors. If untreated, these cancer cells can spread outside of the pancreas to other parts of the body. Who gets it? While anyone can get pancreatic cancer, there are certain risk factors to be aware of. Most pancreatic cancer is diagnosed after age 65. Smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas, family history of pancreatic cancer, and certain genetic syndromes are all known risk factors. Carrying extra weight that is unhealthy for your body may also be a contributing factor. New research has found that the specific combination of smoking, diabetes and poor diet increases the risk of pancreatic cancer the most beyond any one factor alone. What are the symptoms? Unfortunately, we don't usually see the signs of pancreatic cancer until it's in more ...

Cancer may not be on your radar, especially if you’re relatively young and healthy. But it should be, regardless of your age or family history. Each year, Most of these cancers occur in women after menopause.But gynecologic cancers can strike women before menopause, too. "Your risk for all cancer types rises as you age, but it’s important to know what to look for at any age," says Therese Bevers, M.D., medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center. "That way, if symptoms appear, you can tell your doctor right away." The signs of cancer, particularly gynecologic cancers, can be vague and similar to those of other conditions. Only breast and cervical cancers can be detected through screening. So recognizing these symptoms and talking about them with your gynecologist or primary care doctor can increase your odds of finding cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Here are 10 cancer symptoms that every woman should be on the lookout for. 1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding. More than 90% of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer experience irregular bleeding. If you have already undergone menopause, any bleeding — spotting included — should be evaluated. Haven’t gone through menopause yet? See your doctor if you experience bleeding between periods, heavy bleeding or bleeding during sex. This can also be a sign of cervical or vaginal cancer. 2. Unexplained weight loss. If you’re overweight or obese, losing weight by exercising and making healthier food choices can actually help cu...

Early-stage stomach cancer (gastric cancer) rarely causes symptoms. In countries where When stomach cancer does cause signs and symptoms, they can include: • Poor appetite • Weight loss (without trying) • Abdominal (belly) pain • Vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel • Feeling full after eating only a small meal • Heartburn or indigestion • Nausea • Vomiting, with or without blood • Swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen • Blood in the stool • Feeling tired or weak, as a result of having too few red blood cells (anemia) • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), if the cancer spreads to the liver Most of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by things other than stomach cancer, such as a viral infection or an ulcer. Some of these symptoms may also be caused by other types of cancer. But people who have any of these problems, especially if they don’t go away or get worse, should see a doctor so the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Ku GY, Ilson DH. Chapter 72: Cancer of the Stomach. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2020. Mansfield PF. Clinical features, diagnosis, and staging of gastric cancer. UpToDate. 2020. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-features-diagnosis-and-staging-of-gastric-cancer on June 29, 2020. National Cancer Institute. Gastric Cancer Treatment (PDQ®). 2020. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/typ...

The earliest stage of cancer is referred to as stage 1, and presents with a smaller tumor that has not yet grown deeply into nearby tissues or the lymph nodes. Stage 2 refers to tumors that have become larger and the cancer has grown more deeply into nearby tissues. When cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, it is categorized as • Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt) • Skin dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel) • Breast or nipple pain • Nipple retraction (turning inward) • Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickened • Nipple discharge (other than breast milk) • Swollen lymph nodes It may be difficult to feel a tumor that is less than half an inch in diameter, but any above that size will be easy to identify when touched. In early cases, the lump or mass will likely feel different than the tissue surrounding it and be moveable. If you notice a change or mass in your breasts, schedule an examination with your doctor. Lung Cancer It is estimated that roughly 228,820 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, accounting for 12.7% of all new cancer cases. Over 50% of people with lung cancer are not diagnosed until the cancer has metastasized, making the survival rate low at 20.5%. Early diagnosis of lung cancer accounts for only 17% of all lung cancer cases. Since prostate cancer that's diagnosed early has a five-year survival rate of 100%, getting proper screening is important. The American Cancer Society recommends that ...

Common Signs and Symptoms of Cancer No matter your age or health, it’s good to know the possible signs of These symptoms don’t always mean cancer. Lots of common conditions can make you feel this way. It’s important to see your doctor so they can take a closer look at your health and take action. Common signs and symptoms of cancer in both men and women include: • Pain. • Weight loss without trying. Almost half of people who have cancer lose weight. It’s often one of the signs that they notice first. • Fatigue. If you’re tired all the time and rest doesn’t help, tell your doctor. • Fever. If it’s high or lasts more than 3 days, call your doctor. Some • Changes in your skin. Have your doctor look at unusual or new moles, bumps, or marks on your body to be sure • Sores that don’t heal. Spots that bleed and won’t go away are also • Cough or hoarseness that doesn’t go away. A cough is one sign of • Unusual bleeding. 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. • Anemia. This is when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells, which are made in your bone marrow. Cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and Common Cancer Symptoms in Men The most common cancers in men are prostate, lung, and colorectal. Symptoms of cancer in men include: Trouble peeing: A swollen prostate can make it hard to go, or it may make you have to go a lot. Tell your doctor if y...

Signs and symptoms are ways the body lets you know that you have an injury, illness, or disease. • A sign , such as fever or bleeding, can be seen or measured by someone else. • A symptom , such as pain or fatigue,is felt or noticed by the person who has it. Signs and symptoms of cancer depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects nearby organs or tissues. If a cancer has spread ( metastasized), signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. How does cancer cause signs and symptoms? A cancer can grow into,or begin to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This pressure causes some of the signs and symptoms of cancer. A cancer may also cause symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness ( fatigue), or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells use up much of the body’s energy supply. Or the cancer could release substances that change the way the body makes energy. Cancer can also cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these signs and symptoms. What are some general signs and symptoms of cancer? Most signs and symptoms are not caused by cancer but can be caused by other things.If you have any signs and symptoms that don't go away or get worse, you should see a doctor to find out what’s causing them. If cancer is not the cause, a doctor can help figure out what the cause is and treat it, if needed. For instance, lymph nodes are part of the body’s immune system and help capture harmful substances in the body. Normal ...

Throat anatomy The throat includes the esophagus; windpipe, also known as the trachea; voice box, also known as the larynx; tonsils; and epiglottis. Throat cancer refers cancer that develops in your throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx). Your throat is a muscular tube that begins behind your nose and ends in your neck. Throat cancer most often begins in the flat cells that line the inside of your throat. Your voice box sits just below your throat and also is susceptible to throat cancer. The voice box is made of cartilage and contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when you talk. Types of throat cancer Throat cancer is a general term that applies to cancer that develops in the throat (pharyngeal cancer) or in the voice box (laryngeal cancer). Though most throat cancers involve the same types of cells, specific terms are used to differentiate the part of the throat where cancer originated. • Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the nasopharynx — the part of your throat just behind your nose. • Oropharyngeal cancer begins in the oropharynx — the part of your throat right behind your mouth that includes your tonsils. • Hypopharyngeal cancer (laryngopharyngeal cancer) begins in the hypopharynx (laryngopharynx) — the lower part of your throat, just above your esophagus and windpipe. • Glottic cancer begins in the vocal cords. • Supraglottic cancer begins in the upper portion of the voice box and includes cancer that affects the epiglottis, which is a piece of cartilage ...

You eat pretty well (some days) and get regular exercise (most days). But if you’re like a lot of men, a trip to the doctor isn't on your to-do list. That can be bad if it means you brush off early signs of One of the best ways to fight the disease is to catch it in the early stages, when it’s more treatable. The problem is that the warning signs for many kinds of Take a look at these 15 signs and symptoms. Some are linked more strongly to 1. Problems When You Pee Many men have some problems peeing as they get older, like: • A need to pee more often, especially at night • Dribbling, leaking, or an urgent need to go • Trouble starting to pee, or a weak stream • A burning sensation when they pee An 2. Changes in Your Testicles "If you notice a lump, heaviness, or any other change in your testicle, never delay having it looked at," says Herbert Lepor, MD, urology chairman at New York University Langone Medical Center. "Unlike prostate cancer, which grows slowly, 3. Blood in Your Pee or Stool These can be among the first signs of 4. Skin Changes When you notice a change in the size, shape, or color of a mole or other spot on your 5. Changes in Lymph Nodes Tenderness of swelling in your lymph nodes, the small bean-shaped glands found in your neck, armpits, and other places, often signal that something's going on in your body. Usually, it means your immune system is fighting a 6. Trouble Swallowing Some people have trouble swallowing from time to time. But if your problems don’t...