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Five most commonly overlooked symptoms of cancer that people find hard to associate

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Apr 25, 2022, 16:00 IST
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Some unusual signs of cancer you must look out for

Cancer is a complicated disease. It is influenced by several factors and can be complex to detect at an early stage. In the beginning, it often leads to subtle signs, diverse from the original condition, which can be confused with some other ailments. The symptoms can be vague and non-specific, making it difficult even for doctors to detect the concern in the first examination. While it can not be presumed what symptoms one may experience, there are some non-severe signs that are easily misinterpreted. Here are 5 you must look out for:

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​Lower back pain

Pain in the lower back may bother people quite often. While it is commonly considered the repercussions of sitting all day in front of the laptop for work purposes, it may trouble you for other reasons as well. Recurring lower back pain can be a red flag for cancer. It is associated with bladder and ovarian cancer. It may or may not appear with other signs of cancer. If your back pain doesn't seem to be related to movement, if it usually hurts the most at night or early morning and if it is accompanied by sudden weight loss then consult your doctor.

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​Lumps in parts of the body

While an unusual lump in the breast or skin is something we all are attentive to, the one present in the testicle is often overlooked. It can be due to unawareness of testicular cancer or just carelessness. When overlooked for years it can reach a severe stage, making the road to recovery even more challenging. Any lump, enlargement in either testicle, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum and a dull ache in the abdomen or groin should not be ignored.

Read more: Actress Chhavi Mittal says, 'Its not the best thing to happen': Common breast cancer signs women tend to miss

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​Bleeding from the back passage or rectal bleeding

Bleeding from your back passage is another warning sign of cancer you must look out for. In fact, it is an alarm bell and you need to consult your doctor immediately without any delays. The red blood spot in the stool can be easily detected, the sign that is missed in black poo. Passing black stool means there is some kind of internal bleeding in the upper part of your digestive system and by the time it has been passed through the bowel it has died.

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​Persistent cough

Coughing blood is a sure-shot sign of lungs, larynx, thyroid, lymphoma or leukemia. What many might not know is that even a persistent cough could be an indication of cancer. A cough caused due to a cold, flu or allergy goes away on its own within a few weeks. But if your condition hangs in for more than two weeks and does not seem to improve with antibiotics or other medical interventions, you must consult your doctor to rule out the possibility of lung cancer.

Read more: Global report reveals alarming data on breast cancer; know all about the potential risk factors and symptoms

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​Persistent heartburn

In most cases, heartburn is caused by overeating or eating too spicy food. But if you are one of those, who have to deal with the issue of heartburn more than often, then it can be an indication of a more serious problem. If your heartburn bothers you a few times a week and it does not get better with a change in the diet, do not take it lightly. It can be a sign of stomach, throat, or ovarian cancer.

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