Worried about a niggling new ache, or weird symptom that just won’t go away? Watch out for these five everyday pains that could be cancer.
As we reach our 50s, and enter sniper’s alley, our cancer risk increases. The good news is that there are lifestyle changes you can make to decrease your risk. It’s also important to be alert for any early signs something may be wrong, as early detection of most cancers will give you the best chance for successful treatment.
For example, in England 98% of women whose breast cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage, live for five years or more. However, this drops to 27% when diagnosed at the most advanced stage. Statistics show that 91% of people with bowel cancer live for five years or more if diagnosed early, compared to 11% diagnosed late. And 63% of people diagnosed early with lung cancer survive their disease for five years or more, compared to 4% diagnosed at the most advanced stage.
So early detection saves lives. But, aside from ensuring you take up any offers for screening, such as breast cancer and bowel cancer, what else can you do to best protect yourself? What kind of signs and symptoms should you look out for?
Five everyday pains that could be cancer
We all know (or at least we should know!) that we need to see a doctor if we spot signs like a lump in our breast, or blood in our stools. But what are some other, maybe less well-known or obvious symptoms to watch out for?
To help you stay alert, NHS GP and TV doctor Dr Amir Khan has shared five pains or signs he said he would always want a patient to come in for, instead of waiting to mention them at a routine check up. These are everyday symptoms that are persistent, unexplained or do not fit a normal pattern.
Here are the five symptoms Dr Khan warned should be checked:
- Food or drink getting stuck in your throat
- A mouth ulcer that will not heal
- Unexplained heavy or drenching night sweats
- A new lump in the neck
- Unexplained bone pain, especially over 50
Let’s find out what you need to look out for, and when to see a doctor.
1) Food or drink getting stuck in your throat
Struggling to swallow, or feeling like food is catching partway down, is easy to put down to eating too fast or not chewing properly. Dr Khan said this symptom, known medically as dysphagia, is one he takes seriously every time it comes up.
Dysphagia can sometimes cause coughing, choking, and vomiting. And while there are several different causes, it’s important to rule out cancer of the food pipe or upper parts of the digestive tract.
2) A mouth ulcer that will not heal
Most mouth ulcers clear up within a week or two on their own, but some might linger. Dr Khan flagged this as a symptom worth acting on rather than waiting out.
If you have an unexplained mouth ulcer that has been there for three weeks or more, get it checked. Mouth cancer can affect anyone, but it’s more common in those who smoke or use alcohol excessively.
3) Unexplained heavy or drenching night sweats
Waking up drenched in sweat is usually down to a hot bedroom or, for many women, the menopause. Dr Khan acknowledged that might be the case, but said hot flushes shouldn’t be brushed off if there’s no clear explanation. If you can’t explain your night sweats away, flag it with your doctor.
4) A new lump in the neck
A new lump can understandably cause alarm, but Dr Khan said the size and how long it sticks around matter more than panic alone. New unexplained lumps anywhere should be checked, but if you have a new lump in your neck, even if it feels like a lymph gland, if it’s more than 1cm or feels hard or rubbery or remains there for three weeks or more, and you can’t explain it, see your doctor.
5) Unexplained bone pain, especially over 50
Aches in the back, pelvis or ribs are often written off as a sign of getting older. Dr Khan said this is the symptom people are most likely to dismiss, but age and location can make it worth a proper check. If you have bone pain, especially if you’re over 50, especially in the back pelvis, or rib area, and you don’t remember any kind of injury or movement that can explain it away, get it checked.
According to Dr Syed Nadeem Abbas of Knee Pain Clinic UK, the vast majority of bone and joint pain has a simple explanation, usually to do with activity, posture or age related wear. What Dr Khan is pointing to is the pain that doesn’t fit that pattern, the kind with no obvious cause, that doesn’t ease off, or that turns up somewhere unusual like the ribs or pelvis. That’s the pain worth getting looked at properly rather than assuming it will settle on its own.
Get advice on any unexplained symptoms
These five signs aren’t the only ones you need to watch out for. As a general rule, persistent, unexplained symptoms should always be checked by a healthcare professional, even if getting an appointment can feel like a challenge in itself.
