From the Guidelines
Early signs and symptoms of cancer include unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, pain, changes in bowel or bladder habits, unusual bleeding or discharge, and a thickening or lump in any part of the body, as highlighted in a 2018 study on lung cancer screening 1. These symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of cancer, but common warning signs also include difficulty swallowing, persistent cough or hoarseness, and skin changes such as darkening, yellowing, redness, or changes in existing moles. Some key points to consider when evaluating early signs and symptoms of cancer include:
- Unexplained weight loss is a frequent symptom, reported in 30% to more than 80% of patients, depending on the type of primary tumor and stage of disease, as noted in a 2009 study on parenteral nutrition in non-surgical oncology 1.
- Persistent symptoms lasting more than two weeks should prompt a medical evaluation, as early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.
- Regular screening tests are recommended for early detection of certain cancers, even before symptoms develop, as emphasized in a 2022 review on utilizing extracellular vesicles for early cancer diagnostics 1.
- The importance of early diagnosis is highlighted by the World Health Organisation and the UK's National Health Service, which aims to increase the proportion of cancers diagnosed early, leading to improved survival rates 1.
- New and more sensitive approaches to early detection, such as the use of extracellular vesicles, are being developed to improve patient outcomes, as discussed in the 2022 review 1.
From the Research
Early Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
The early signs and symptoms of cancer can vary depending on the type of cancer. According to a study published in The Lancet. Oncology 2, common presenting symptoms of cancer include:
- Abnormal mole
- Breast lump
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Rectal bleeding
- Lower urinary tract symptoms
- Haematuria
- Change in bowel habit
- Hoarseness
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Lower abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Neck lump
- Chest pain
- Back pain
Symptom Assessment in Cancer Patients
Accurate assessment of symptoms is necessary before any treatment can be undertaken 3. Simple, effective tools are available for identification and scoring of symptoms in clinical practice.
Symptom Presentation in Cancer Patients
Cancer patients often present with few and non-cancer specific symptoms in general practice 4. The majority of patients presented with only one symptom, and symptoms varied with the type of cancer.
Symptoms of Advanced Cancer
Advanced cancer patients are polysymptomatic, and symptom prevalence differs with age, gender, and cancer site 5. Common symptoms include:
- Pain
- Easy fatigue
- Anorexia
- Anxiety
- Lack of energy
- Early satiety
- Constipation
- Dyspnea
Symptom Clusters in Cancer Patients
Cancer patients often experience multiple symptoms, and those symptoms can independently predict changes in patient function, treatment failures, and post-therapeutic outcomes 6. Symptom clusters are defined as two or more concurrent symptoms that are related and may or may not have a common cause. A gastrointestinal cluster consisting of nausea and vomiting was the single cluster common to two of the studies.