Know the signs
Symptoms & early detection
Most symptoms turn out to be something minor. Knowing which changes deserve a doctor's visit — and which screenings to keep up with — is one of the most powerful things you can do for your health.
General signs worth a doctor's visit
See a healthcare provider about any of these if they are new, unexplained, or last more than a few weeks:
- Unexplained weight loss — losing 10 pounds or more without trying.
- Fatigue that doesn't improve with rest — deep tiredness that interferes with daily life.
- A lump or thickening anywhere on the body, especially the breast, testicle, neck, or armpit.
- Changes in a mole — asymmetry, uneven borders, color changes, growth, or a sore that won't heal.
- Persistent cough or hoarseness lasting more than three to four weeks, or coughing up blood.
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits — ongoing constipation, diarrhea, narrow stools, blood in stool or urine.
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent indigestion.
- Unusual bleeding or discharge — including bleeding between periods or after menopause.
- Persistent pain with no clear cause, especially bone pain or headaches that change over time.
- Night sweats or fevers that keep returning without an infection.
Why "early" matters so much
For most cancers, the single biggest factor in survival is how early the disease is found. A stage I cancer is often curable with straightforward treatment; the same cancer at stage IV is much harder to treat. That is the entire logic of screening — finding cancer before it causes symptoms at all.
Screening tests that save lives
| Screening | Looks for | Generally recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| Mammogram | Breast cancer | Women, typically starting at 40–50; discuss timing with your doctor |
| Colonoscopy / stool tests | Colorectal cancer | Adults starting at 45 |
| Pap test + HPV test | Cervical cancer | Women 21–65 |
| Low-dose CT scan | Lung cancer | Adults 50–80 with a significant smoking history |
| PSA blood test | Prostate cancer | Men — an individual decision to discuss with your doctor, often from 50 |
| Skin checks | Skin cancer / melanoma | Everyone — self-checks monthly, professional checks as advised |
Exact ages and intervals depend on your personal and family history — your doctor can tailor a screening plan to you.
When to seek care urgently
Go to urgent care or the emergency department for sudden severe symptoms: significant bleeding, sudden severe pain, difficulty breathing, new confusion, or a fever during chemotherapy (call your oncology team immediately — this can be an emergency).