Detecting cancer early, and while it is easier to treat, is important to save lives.
Some cancer symptoms are like those of other diseases. But some key symptoms are more strongly linked to cancer. These symptoms are often:
- unexplained (You don’t know the cause.)
- do not get better in a few weeks
- get worse over a few weeks
If you have any of the symptoms below, make an appointment to see your doctor right away. They will work with you to decide what tests you need.
Lump or swelling
A lump or swelling that is not normal for you may be a symptom. It can be painless and get bigger. For example:
- a breast lump, or a change in the size, shape, feel, or look of the breast
- a skin sore or wound that doesn’t heal
- skin mole that is new or changes in size, shape, or colour, or a mole that is crusty, bleeds, or oozes
- growing lump (lymph node) in the neck, arm pit, or groin
Blood
Cancer symptoms involving blood may include bleeding that is not normal for you. For example:
- coughing up blood
- blood in your pee (urine)
- blood in your poop (stool), especially if you also have constipation (trouble passing stool), diarrhea (loose stool), weight loss, or belly pain
Specific area of the body
Cancer symptoms may show up in a specific area of the body. For example:
- unexplained cough or shortness of breath that gets worse and doesn’t go away
- trouble swallowing food with the feeling it sticks in your esophagus (food pipe)
- prostate-related symptoms, including trouble peeing or needing to pee right away, more often, and with pain
Pain
Pain as a cancer symptom is often strong, does not stop or gets worse, and is unexplained. For example:
- very bad heartburn or chest pain
- belly pain
- any other pain in an area of the body, such as the head or mid-back
General symptoms
Some cancer symptoms are general and not related to a specific area of the body. For example:
- feeling very tired or having no energy, without knowing why
- sweating at night, enough to make your sheets wet
- feeling less hungry than usual for a long time
- losing 10% of your body weight without trying
Learn more from the Canadian Cancer Society:
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
