When we think about cancer, most people picture dramatic symptoms — sudden weight loss, deep tiredness, perhaps a pneumonia-like cough, or visible lumps. And yes, those are common red flags we have grown used to paying attention to. As soon as any of these symptoms come up, we’re on high alert.
But what about the symptoms that aren’t exactly “generic” — the ones that aren’t quite common that’d demand our attention?
Turns out, sometimes, cancer sends whispers instead of shouts. American Cancer Society (ACS) and oncologists warn that cancer does not always follow a textbook pattern — some surprising, easy-to-ignore signs may hint at a serious disease long before obvious symptoms like fatigue or weight change emerge. And in many cases, those “unusual” early symptoms are mild or easy to ignore, which is why diagnosis often gets delayed.
But the downside is — as the diagnosis gets delayed, so does the treatment — reducing the chance of a better recovery, or management, and the quality of life. To prevent that from happening, it’s vital to be aware of surprising cancer symptoms — beyond weight fluctuation or tiredness — that many overlook, and explain why paying attention to them might save lives.
Below, we explore four rare cancer symptoms that Dr Mikkael A. Sekeres, chief of haematology and professor of medicine at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, revealed in a discussion with The Washington Post.