Cancer can go unnoticed for many years, especially if it’s growing slowly or causing no symptoms. Some people are shocked to learn they have cancer after a routine check-up or seeing a doctor for something they thought was unrelated.
This is partly because cancer doesn’t always show symptoms, especially in the early stages. This is called asymptomatic cancer, which means there are no noticeable signs.
All cancers start very small – as just single cells. It’s often only when cancer grows bigger or spreads that it causes symptoms, which is when most people are diagnosed.
Whether or not cancer causes symptoms depends on:
The size
Where the cancer is
How fast it's growing
Some cancers grow very slowly, so people might be unaffected for many years. Other cancers have vague symptoms that are easy to miss, which can also mean they go undetected until a later stage.
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Warning signs of cancer
On a positive note, there are things you can do to help spot cancer early. And for many cancers, spotting signs earlier makes it easier to treat and gives a better chance of successful outcomes.
Make sure you:
Know the common signs of cancer
See a doctor if you have symptoms or concerns
Go to any cancer screenings you’re offered
The signs and symptoms depend on the type of cancer, but here are some common symptoms to watch out for.
1. Coughing, chest pain, or being out of breath
Chest symptoms can be a sign of lung cancer, including a cough lasting longer than three weeks.
2. Changes in toilet habits (bowels or urination)
Changes in how often or how urgently you need to urinate or open your bowels, and how your urine or stool looks can be a sign of prostate or gastrointestinal cancers.
3. Bloating
Bloating feels like your stomach is too full or stretched. It can even look bigger. It can be a sign of ovarian cancer.
4. Bleeding or traces of blood
This could be bleeding from the vagina, bottom, or when you cough. It can also be blood in your urine, vomit, or stools, which could be red, pink, brown or black.
5. Lumps, bumps, moles or skin changes
Sometimes cancer causes lumps or bumps that you can see or feel, or changes to the skin, like moles, redness, or darkening of the skin depending on your skin tone.
6. Unexplained weight changes
Unexplained weight changes mean you’ve lost or gained weight without an obvious cause, such as changes in your eating habits or physical activity, or stress.
7. Pain that doesn't go away or keeps coming back
Cancer can cause pain in the body where it’s growing, including stomach pain, back pain, chest pain, breast pain or headaches.
8. Itchy or yellow skin
Pancreatic cancer can make your skin itch, and your eyes or skin turn yellow
9. Feeling constantly tired or unwell
If you have tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest, or often feel unwell without a reason, it can be a sign of cancer.
Symptoms don’t always mean you have cancer, as most of these signs can be caused by other conditions too. A doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and general health and offer further tests if cancer is a concern.
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