5. Pain
Pain is one of the ways our bodies tell us that something is wrong. Cancer related pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain and may start suddenly and be ongoing or may start as a pain that comes and goes. Pain is commonly one of the earliest symptoms of bone cancer. At first, the pain may not be constant and may only worsen with movement. Approximately 20% of men have a sharp pain in the testicle or scrotum as a first symptom of testicular cancer. Lung cancers may press on nerves resulting in pain in the shoulder, chest, back or arm even before they cause any difficulty breathing or coughing. A headache that does not go away, worsens with pressure such as coughing, bending or sneezing, and does not get better with treatment may be a symptom of a brain tumor. You should see a doctor if you experience sudden pain lasting a few days or pain that comes and goes but continues for longer than a month.
6. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath, dyspnea ,is characterized by a feeling of inability to get enough air. It can be described as a tightness or feeling of suffocation. Some types of cancer can grow very near the tissue that surrounds your heart. This can interfere with how much blood the heart can pump out and can cause shortness of breath. Cancer in or near the lungs may cause a blockage to the tubes that carry air. Breathlessness is also common with breast cancer tumors. Where there is build up of fluid in the abdomen, such as is common with ovarian or liver cancer, the increased pressure on the diaphragm makes it harder for the lungs to expand when you breathe in. Additionally, many types of cancer may cause anemia, which can make you breathless because your body is carrying less oxygen. Ask your doctors to investigate any feelings of breathlessness.