That said, doctors often advise seeing a healthcare professional if symptoms are persistent, unexplained, or getting worse.
16 possible early warning signs of cancer (general awareness)
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Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without changes in diet or activity. -
Unusual fatigue
Ongoing tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest. -
Persistent pain
Pain that lasts weeks without a clear cause. -
Unexplained fever
Repeated or long-lasting fevers not linked to infection. -
Changes in appetite
Loss of appetite or feeling full very quickly. -
Lumps or thickening
New lumps under the skin (neck, armpit, chest, groin). -
Changes in bowel habits
Long-lasting diarrhea, constipation, or stool changes. -
Changes in urination
Pain, blood, or frequent urination without infection. -
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Bleeding that has no clear cause. -
Sores that don’t heal
Cuts or mouth sores that don’t improve over time. -
Persistent cough or hoarseness
Especially if it lasts more than a few weeks. -
Difficulty swallowing
Ongoing trouble swallowing food or liquids. -
Changes in skin
New moles, changes in existing moles, or skin color changes. -
Night sweats
Heavy sweating during sleep without illness. -
Frequent infections
Getting sick often or taking longer to recover. -
General feeling that something isn’t right
A lasting sense of being unwell without a clear reason.
Very important to know
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These signs are common in many harmless conditions, especially during growth, stress, infections, or hormonal changes.
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Cancer is rare in teens, and most symptoms have much simpler explanations.
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The key warning sign is persistence (lasting weeks) or progression (getting worse).