How to Know if You Have Early Signs of Developing Cancer

Anyone can develop cancer, but age and other factors can increase your risk, including family history, unhealthy lifestyles and habits, and exposure to radiation or chemicals. There are over 200 kinds of cancer, and they could present a very wide range of signs and symptoms. Some are specific to certain types, while others can be more general.

While having general or specific symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer, spotting it early could make all the difference. If you live near Carmel, Indianapolis, or Noblesville, IN, schedule an appointment with Dr. Clifford Fetters at Health and Wellness of Carmel to discuss if personalized cancer testing may be right for you.

General Signs and Symptoms

Sometimes, cancer symptoms can be vague and generalized. Here is a list of what you could watch for:

• Pains or aches that won’t go away and cannot be explained: As we age, it is not uncommon to have aches and pains. But when there is no known cause, it might be a sign of something more serious.

• Unexplained weight loss: Mild changes in weight over time might be normal, but if you are losing a noticeable amount of weight without trying, you might need to notify your doctor.

• Unusual lumps or swelling: This could be anywhere in your body, like the neck, armpit, belly, chest, breast, groin, or testicles, and should be taken seriously.

• Fatigue: You could be tired for all kinds of reasons. But when you are feeling tired all the time for no clear reason, you should bring it to your doctor’s attention.

Specific Symptoms

Other cancer symptoms can be more specific or more localized to a body part. While they can seem insignificant, it’s important not to ignore them, especially when they persist. See the list below for more specific symptoms:

• Skin Changes: Notify Dr. Fetters if you have sores that won’t heal or moles that change in shape, size, or color that start to itch, hurt, or have drainage.

• Eating problems: Difficulty swallowing, constant and painful heartburn and indigestion, and poor appetite should be reported when it is prolonged and persistent.

• Changes in voice and breathing: Hoarseness, persistent cough, and feeling short of breath, not associated with common ailments, like a cold or allergies, need to be checked out.

• Changes in bowel movements and urinating: This includes changes in how often you go, pain and difficulty going, and if you notice blood. Other conditions could cause this, but it is best to tell your doctor.

• Bleeding: It is not normal to find blood in stools, urine, or when coughing or vomiting. Though it can be caused by something less serious than cancer, it is important, nonetheless, to inform your physician.

• Unusual breast changes: Breast cancer is more common in women. If you notice any redness, lumps, changes in color, shape, and feel of the breast, including the nipple, regardless of your gender, you should let Dr. Fetters know.

Personalized cancer testing can help with detection

Many of these signs and symptoms may be caused by something else, and test negative for cancer. If it is not cancer, we can determine the cause and explore ways to reduce the risk. If it is a sign of cancer, we can explore treatment, including natural and holistic approaches. Finding out early could be the difference between life and death, health and debility. It is true; early detection can save your life! A good rule of thumb is when you notice something that is not normal to you, it is best to schedule an appointment to have it checked out.

Don’t ignore your symptoms. Find out more about alternative cancer treatments

Dr. Clifford Fetters and the rest of our team at Health and Wellness of Carmel are here for you. We are ready to assist and support you in every effort to pursue optimal health in the most natural way possible. With our holistic approach, you can be sure the care you receive is customized care, including alternative treatments to cancer. We serve patients near Carmel, Indianapolis, and Noblesville, IN. Contact us if you notice anything that could be an early sign of cancer.