Narayana Health Care
  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Book An Appointment
    • Video Consultation
    • Physical Consultation
  • English
    • Hindi
    • Bengali
Narayana Health Care
  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Book An Appointment
    • Video Consultation
    • Physical Consultation
  • English
    • Hindi
    • Bengali
Home > Blog > Oncology > 18 Common Cancer Signs and Symptoms in Men and Women
Oncology

18 Common Cancer Signs and Symptoms in Men and Women

by Narayana Health February 20, 2020
written by Narayana Health February 20, 2020
18 Common Cancer Signs and Symptoms in Men and Women | Narayana Health

You hear the word ‘Cancer’ commonly when one talks about killer diseases. The word itself indicates a condition in which cell growth happens at an uncontrolled and abnormal rate.

The word ‘Cancer’, in itself, only says that there is a growth that threatens to spread to other parts of the body. You have to specify where the cancerous growth is located. Further, the stage of the growth, when it’s discovered, and the seriousness of each case – all these details matter. They govern the chances of survival and recovery of cancer victims.

You can see why it’s important to identify a cancerous tumour as early as possible. It helps to decide whether the tumour is harmful or not, and the line of treatment to be undertaken. When tumours are detected early and addressed immediately, their growth can be contained.

As soon as an uncontrolled growth is suspected, a spectrum of tests is conducted to check if the tumour is cancerous or benign. Benign tumours do not have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.

Oftentimes, a biopsy is necessary to confirm the presence of cancer.

Cancer caused by the use of tobacco is specifically worth mentioning. More than 20% of cancer cases are caused by tobacco. Other reasons are obesity, nutritional deficiency, a sedentary lifestyle, and consumption of alcohol.

Cancer indicators are fairly innocuous at first. Be warned that similar symptoms can be observed among other common ailments too.

Here are some of the simplest cancer symptoms common to both men and women:

  • Excessive, persistent cough: It is a condition that warrants checking for pneumonia and neck cancer.
  • Blood in the saliva: Usually a sign of bronchitis or sinusitis, this symptom can also indicate cancer of the lung.
  • Blood in the stools: This could indicate anything from constipation, ulcers, and hemorrhoids to cancer of the colon or rectal cancer. Colonoscopy is recommended for everyone over the age of 50.
  • Variation in bowel movements: Sudden diarrhea, constipation, or thin stools could represent colorectal cancer. An investigation should begin with checking for irritable bowels and infection.
  • Variation in urination – pattern, frequency: A stream that slows or stops without your control could have deeper causes.
  • Spots, moles, and skin changes: Both men and women should watch out for moles or spots on the skin that appear suddenly. Localized changes in color, texture, or feel of the skin are a common first sign of skin cancer.
  • Unexplained pain and tiredness: Weariness and pain that doesn’t go away are a sign of deeper issues.
  • Swallowing difficulty: Deeper gastrointestinal issues show up as difficulty in swallowing. Something as simple as a patch in the mouth or soreness is also worth checking.
  • Sudden changes in weight: Losing weight abruptly – without any changes in diet or lifestyle – can be a worrisome event. Most often, it signifies that there is a change in the thyroid function. But one might also need to be tested for unexplained growths in the stomach, colon, or pancreas.

There are specific indications that women need to watch out for:

  • Bloody or discolored discharge from the nipple: colorless discharge is common as hormonal balance varies with age. But bloody or foul-smelling discharge is a sure indication that medical attention is necessary.
  • Lumps in the breast: A breast exam should be done by yourself every month interspersed with a professional gynecologist’s examination every year. Lumps felt in a single breast require immediate attention and a possible MRI.
  • Puckering or dimple in the skin: An uneven depression, wrinkle or irregularity in the skin needs further checking. Check for changes in both appearance and feel.
  • Sudden change in nipple direction: Nipple(s) may suddenly retract. Or there might be a swelling around the areola, along with pain and breast discomfort. These need to be investigated further.
  • Spotting between menstrual cycles: Even if periods are regular, bleeding or spotting noticed between menstrual cycles could be indicative of endometrial cancer.
  • Bloating: It is a pretty common symptom and women are naturally more bloated than men. But if it doesn’t go away with minor treatments, persistent bloating can indicate ovarian, uterine, or gastrointestinal cancer.

For men concerned about watching for cancer, some common symptoms to follow-up are:

  • Lumps in testicles: A mass or lump felt below the surface of the skin warrants further checking
  • Change in urine: Changes in the bladder function could be because of cancer of the prostate gland.
  • Erectile dysfunction: The American Cancer Association links pain in urination, premature ejaculation, or difficulty in maintaining an erection with prostate cancer. The incidence is as high as 1 in 9 men.

One cannot say that these symptoms are exclusive to a certain type of cancer, or even of cancer at all. There could be several other conditions causing these symptoms. A selection of methods is available for screening various types of cancer.

Dr. Aparna Sreevatsa, Consultant – Medical Oncology, Oncology | Sahyadri Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Shimoga

cancerCancer carecancer in mencancer in womencancer signscancer symptomscancer treatmentTypes of Cancer
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp
previous post
What is the Survival Rate of Kidney Cancer Patients?
next post
All you need to know about Spinal Cord Compression

You may also like

Testicular Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

September 21, 2023

Robotic Prostate Surgery: Advancing Precision Care

September 20, 2023

Laryngeal Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options

September 15, 2023

Bone Marrow: Structure, Composition, and Functions

August 23, 2023

Lung Cancer in Women – Causes, Symptoms and...

August 10, 2023

Reduce Your Risk of Lung Cancer: Proactive Prevention...

August 9, 2023

Preventive Tests for Early Detection of Cancer in...

August 4, 2023

Preventive Tests for Early Detection of Cancer in...

August 4, 2023

Common Side Effects of Prostate Cancer Treatment

July 19, 2023

Prostate Cancer Stages and Survival Rate

July 17, 2023

QUICK LINKS

Book an Appointment

Find a Doctor

Hospitals

Medical Services

About NH

Narayana Health

Narayana Health is headquartered in Bengaluru, India, and operates a network of hospitals across the country, with a particularly strong presence in the southern state of Karnataka and eastern India, as well as an emerging presence in northern, western and central India. Our first facility was established in Bengaluru with approximately 225 operational beds and we have since grown to 23 hospitals, 7 heart centres, 19 primary care facilities across India and an international hospital in the Cayman Islands.

Keep In Touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube Telegram

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Boosting your Immune System against Coronavirus: How to minimize the risk of...

    April 2, 2020
  • 2

    How to maintain a Balanced Diet

    September 3, 2019
  • 3

    Coronavirus Testing – How to Test for Coronavirus? – Different Types of Tests

    March 13, 2020
  • 4

    Importance of Balanced Diet in a Healthy Lifestyle

    November 22, 2019

Categories

  • Aids (5)
  • Bengali (1)
  • Blood Pressure (4)
  • Bone Marrow Transplant (12)
  • Breast Cancer (28)
  • Cancer (48)
  • Cardiac Surgery (23)
  • Cardiology (234)
  • Coronavirus (110)
  • Dental Sciences (2)
  • Dermatology (19)
  • Diabetes (37)
  • E. N. T – Paediatric (7)
  • E. N. T. (9)
  • ECMO (1)
  • Endocrinology (13)
  • Gastroenterology (95)
  • General Health (128)
  • General Surgery (4)
  • Gynaecology (85)
  • Haematology (6)
  • Health Nuggets (44)
  • Healthy Life (3)
  • Hepatology (16)
  • Hindi (7)
  • Infectious Diseases (4)
  • Kidney (5)
  • Liver (30)
  • Medical Oncology (2)
  • Mental Health (4)
  • Narayana Health (684)
  • Nephrology (89)
  • Neurology (159)
  • Neurosurgery (30)
  • News (6)
  • NH services (7)
  • Nutrition and Diet (27)
  • Oncology (159)
  • Organ Donation (1)
  • Orthopaedics (154)
  • Paediatric Cardiology (11)
  • Paediatric Liver Transplant (1)
  • Paediatric Oncology (3)
  • Paediatric Surgery (5)
  • Paediatrics (77)
  • Pain & Palliative Care (4)
  • Pregnancy (9)
  • Psychology (5)
  • Pulmonology (41)
  • Radiation Oncology (9)
  • Rheumatology (4)
  • Services (3)
  • Spine Surgery (31)
  • Stroke (7)
  • Swine Flu (1)
  • Transplant (1)
  • Urology (45)
  • Vascular Surgery (10)

Follow us

QUICK LINKS

Find a Doctor

Book an Appointment

Make an Enquiry

Feedback

Hospitals

Blogs

Privilege card

Heart Rhythm Disorder

NH CARES

Hernia

Lung Cancer

Brain Tumour

Liver Cancer

Heart Attack

Urinary Problems

Heart Transplant

Kidney Transplant

Bone Marrow Transplant

Pulmonary Hypertension

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery

Cardiology

Cardiac Surgery

Neurology

Neurosurgery

Orthopaedics

Robotic Surgery

Vascular Surgery

Nephrology

Radiation Oncology

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Academics

Clinical Research

NH Colleges

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

About Narayana Health

|

Stakeholder Relations

|

News & Media Relations

|

Awards and Accreditations

|

Leadership

|

Careers

|

CSR

|

Sitemap

© Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd | All rights reserved
NPPA Implant Pricing     Terms & Conditions     Privacy Policy     Disclaimer

Book Online Consultation