Our body and mind have the power to send signs whenever something is wrong with our body. Sometimes, we decide to accept these warnings, and other times, we simply ignore them.

Paying attention to these signs, that are often subtle, can lead to early detection of an illness and increase the chances of battling it successfully.

Of course, whenever we feel something isn’t right, we should always consult a doctor.

Below are some of the early signs that warn us cancer is present in our body.

Unexpected Weight Loss

While most of us love being skinny and lose some weight when we are not happy with our appearance, losing weight all of a sudden, without making any changes in our diet or lifestyle may indicate the presence of cancer. This is especially true if the weight loss is significant and in a short amount of time.

Possible forms of cancer associated with unexplained weight loss are stomach, pancreas, or liver cancer (affects digestion and metabolism), lung or esophageal cancer (which interferes with swallowing and appetite), and blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma (which affect metabolism and immune function).

Constant fatigue and weakness

Unlike fatigue that is a result of lack of sleep and tiredness, fatigue that may indicate some more serious conditions, including cancer, is persistent.

Certain forms of cancer that cause fatigue are leukemia and lymphoma, colon or stomach cancer (causing slow internal bleeding and leading to anemia), or liver cancer.

Skin Changes

Any changes on the skin should be taken seriously. No matter if it is moles, lumps, or skin discoloration, make sure you consult with your doctor.

Potential skin changes to keep an eye on are: moles with uneven borders, or change in color and size (probable signs of melanoma), constant sores that do not heal (may imply skin cancer), yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) (related to liver or pancreatic cancer), dark spots or excessive itching (may indicate cancer of internal organs).

Persistent pain

Chronic pain that won’t go away even after you take medications and the amount of rest needed.

If the pain worsens over time, consult a doctor because it may be a sign of a more serious condition such as bone cancer (pain in the bones or fractures), brain tumors (causing persistent headaches, nausea, and vision problems), ovarian or colorectal cancer (causing pelvic or abdominal pain), or lung cancer (chest pain).

Unusual lumps or swelling

Getting lumps and growths on the skin is not unusual or uncommon. However, if the lumps get bigger, become red and painful, last more than two weeks, are hard and don’t move, or appear on your breasts or testicles, consult with your GP.