Chengmei Health | A study of more than 900 cancer patients found that these signals appeared in their bodies six months before they diagnosed with cancer!-HAINAN CHENGMEI HOSPITAL

Cancers are never formed overnight, and the development process of cancers often lasts for months or even years. Are there any changes or warning signs in the body during this process?

A study reviewed and summarized more than 900 cancer patients found that these signals appeared in their bodies six months before they diagnosed with cancer!

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These signals appeared in their bodies six months before they diagnosed with cancer!

A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in October 2024 found that compared with people who did not suddenly lose weight, people who suddenly lost weight were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer within 3 to 6 months.1

The study analyzed more than 60,000 adults who suddenly lost weight, of whom 58.2% were women, 51.8% were over 60 years old, and 26.3% had smoked.

It was found that within 6 months after weight loss diagnosis and treatment, 908 people (1.4%) developed cancer, of which 882 people (97.1%) were over 50 years old. The most common one was lung cancer, followed by colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer and lymphoma. The most common symptoms include cough, abdominal pain, back pain, chest infection and fatigue.

In addition, among male subjects, 10 clinical signs such as sudden weight loss accompanied by abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dysphagia, hemoptysis, non-cardiogenic chest pain, abdominal mass, chest symptoms, iron deficiency anemia, jaundice and lymph node disease will increase the possibility of cancer.

While, women who suddenly lose weight can increase the possibility of cancer if they are accompanied by 11 clinical signs such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, back pain, change of defecation habits, indigestion, abdominal mass, chest symptoms, iron deficiency anemia, jaundice, lymph node disease and venous thromboembolism.

Therefore, pay attention to the warning signals of these cancers!

These are easily overlooked cancer signals.

In life, people should pay close attention to their physical discomfort and changes, which may be the first wave of signals from cancer or precancerous diseases.

Guo Wenhao, deputy chief physician of the Cancer Center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, published an article on the West China Doctor WeChat official account in 2023 to remind that for most people, common cancer signs (symptoms) include the following.2

1. Inexplicable emaciation and weakness

If it is not because of weight loss or deliberate dieting, as well as benign diseases such as abnormal blood sugar, abnormal thyroid function and chronic diarrhea, the weight will be reduced by more than 5% within six months to one year, and there are symptoms such as anorexia, weakness and fatigue. It is recommended to find out the cause as soon as possible.

2. Unexplained masses and nodules

When unexplained masses and nodules appear in the body, such as breast and testicular masses, subcutaneous nodules, enlarged superficial lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin, we should pay attention to them.

Especially if they are accompanied by redness, swelling, pain, abnormal blood vessels, abnormal color changes, rapid enlargement in a short time, etc., be sure to see a doctor immediately!

3. Persistent pain of unexplained origin

Pain may be caused by chronic diseases, bone lesions, etc., but if it is deep pain, we must find the cause of the pain and guard against the occurrence of tumors.

4. Long-term persistent cough

Half of lung cancer patients are accompanied by chronic cough at the time of diagnosis, and breast cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, etc. spreading to the lungs can also cause persistent cough. It is recommended to have a check as soon as possible.

5. Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath is also one of the early symptoms of lung cancer. Long-term shortness of breath can easily lead to respiratory failure. Find out the cause as soon as possible and carry forward targeted treatment as soon as possible.

6. Unprovoked bleeding

Unprovoked bleeding is a typical tumor symptom, covering almost most tumor diseases. For details, please refer to the following:

(1) Bleeding or hematemesis in the stool, it is necessary to rule out the possibility of intestinal cancer and gastric cancer;

(2) Be alert to lung cancer if you cough up blood and have blood in sputum;

(3) Irregular vaginal bleeding, non-menstrual bleeding and postmenopausal bleeding may be related to gynecological tumors such as endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer;

(4) Painless hematuria or dysuria, be careful of urinary system tumors;

(5) Nose bleeding is not caused by trauma. Pay attention to rule out the possibility of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

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7. Changes in stool movements

Long-term constipation, diarrhea, or the alternation of the two requires vigilance against the occurrence of gastrointestinal tumors.

Malignant tumors of pancreas and liver may also affect the absorption of nutrients by digestive tract, resulting in varying degrees of diarrhea and steatorrhea. If these symptoms appear for a long time, get diagnosis as soon as possible.

8. Persistent digestive abnormalities

Long-term indigestion, loss of appetite, acid reflux, heartburn, upper abdominal pain and discomfort, dont just regard it as a "stomach disease" and ignore it. Be careful that it may be gastric cancer or esophageal cancer.

Finish these 2 points carefully for prevent cancer

1. Maintain good living habits

Chen Xiaobing, chief physician of the Department of Oncology of Henan Cancer Hospital, pointed out in an article in the Elderly Health Newspaper in 2024 that if we can enhance awareness of cancer prevention and maintain a healthy lifestyle, we can prevent some cancers from the source. A large number of studies have confirmed that any change aimed at developing a healthy lifestyle will reduce the risk of cancer to a certain extent.

Quitting smoking and alcohol restriction, balanced diet, moderate exercise and good mood can effectively prevent the occurrence of some cancers. Taking healthy diet as an example, it is advocated to eat less and more meals, less salt and more light, less meat and more vegetarian food, less wine and more tea, less frying and more stewing, less scalding and more warming, less curing and more frying, etc. Be careful to avoid moldy foods and eat less fried and cured foods.

In addition, personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle should be maintained, such as promoting the use of serving chopsticks to prevent Helicobacter pylori infection.3

2. Timely physical examination and early detection

Dr. Chen Xiaobing pointed out that the current medical examination techniques can detect most cancers in the early stage, such as low-dose spiral CT of chest can screen lung cancer, ultrasound combined with molybdenum target can screen breast cancer, and gastrointestinal endoscopy can screen digestive tract tumors. Choosing individualized physical examination items is the key to improve the early diagnosis rate of cancer.

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In addition to preventing cancer and screening, people should also be alert to the early symptoms of cancer. The therapeutic effect of cancer is closely related to the time of cancer discovery. The earlier the cancer is detected, the better the treatment effect and the longer the survival time. When the body is abnormal, you should go to the hospital in time.3

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Chengmei Health | A study of more than 900 cancer patients found that these signals appeared in their bodies six months before they diagnosed with cancer!