1. Unexplained Weight Loss
If you lose weight without trying, especially more than 5 kilograms (about 10 pounds), it could be a warning sign. Sudden, unexplained weight loss can be linked to cancers of the pancreas, stomach, lungs, or esophagus. Cancer cells can change how your body processes nutrients and calories, leading to rapid weight changes.
What to watch for:
You’re not dieting or exercising more, but you’re still losing weight.
Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly.
2. Persistent Fatigue
This isn’t the usual tiredness from a busy day—cancer-related fatigue doesn’t improve with rest. It can be an early sign of leukemia or colon or stomach cancer, where internal bleeding can contribute to feeling constantly exhausted.
What to watch for:
Persistent exhaustion despite sleep and rest
Shortness of breath or weakness during daily tasks
3. Unusual pain or discomfort
Persistent pain, whether in the back, abdomen, chest, or bones, could signal a deeper problem. Some types of cancer put pressure on nerves or organs, causing chronic pain that doesn’t go away.
What to watch for:
Continuous headaches, backache, or abdominal discomfort
Pain that worsens over time or has no clear cause
4. Changes in the skin or moles
Your skin can often reveal signs of cancer, especially melanoma (skin cancer). But other changes, such as yellowing, darkening, or redness of the skin, could be related to internal cancers.
What to watch for:
