Cancer Symptoms What Are the Early Signs of Cancer? By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro Facebook LinkedIn Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 17, 2021 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Lung Cancer Prostate Cancer Colorectal Cancer Melanoma Bladder Cancer Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Kidney Cancer Endometrial/Uterine Cancer Leukemia Pancreatic Cancer Thyroid Cancer Liver Cancer The early signs of cancer are often nonspecific, and most people don’t present with obvious symptoms until it has progressed to later stages, making early diagnosis difficult. The earliest stage of cancer is referred to as stage 1, and presents with a smaller tumor that has not yet grown deeply into nearby tissues or the lymph nodes. Stage 2 refers to tumors that have become larger and the cancer has grown more deeply into nearby tissues. When cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, it is categorized as stage 3. Stage 4, also known as metastatic or advanced cancer, defines cancer that has spread to other organs. Although many cancers share commonalities, including solid tumors and blood cancers, they each have distinct features and pathways. Knowing your own risk factors for cancer can help you spot the early signs and symptoms. Types of Cancer and How They Differ PansLaos / Getty Images Breast Cancer Breast cancer is a disease in which the cells of the breast grow out of control. In very rare cases, men can develop breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women, only behind some types of skin cancers. In 2020, there were an estimated 276,480 new cases of breast cancer. An estimated 63% of breast cancer cases were diagnosed in the early stages when the cancer was localized. Early diagnosis of breast cancer is often made through regular breast cancer screening, which often include a mammogram, breast MRI, and clinical breast exam. Women are also encouraged to perform breast self-exams and report any lumps, pain, and changes to their healthcare provider. Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines The early signs of breast cancer can include: Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt)Skin dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel)Breast or nipple painNipple retraction (turning inward)Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickenedNipple discharge (other than breast milk)Swollen lymph nodes What a Breast Cancer Lump Feels Like It may be difficult to feel a tumor that is less than half an inch in diameter, but any above that size will be easy to identify when touched. In early cases, the lump or mass will likely feel different than the tissue surrounding it and be moveable. If you notice a change or mass in your breasts, schedule an examination with your doctor. Symptoms of Breast Cancer Lung Cancer Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. It is estimated that roughly 228,820 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, accounting for 12.7% of all new cancer cases. Over 50% of people with lung cancer are not diagnosed until the cancer has metastasized, making the survival rate low at 20.5%. Early diagnosis of lung cancer accounts for only 17% of all lung cancer cases. Many people often ignore typical symptoms of lung cancer because they can seem like repercussions from smoking or signs of a lung infection. Early symptoms of lung cancer include: A chronic cough that lasts for at least eight weeks Frequent and recurring respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia Coughing up blood or bloody mucus, even in small amounts Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath A hoarse or raspy voice Pain in the chest Recognizing Lung Cancer Emergencies Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer affected an estimated 191,930 people in 2020. These cases make up 10.6% of all new cancer cases. Roughly 76% of all cases are diagnosed in the early or localized stage. This can be attributed to proper and effective screening for prostate cancer. Early warning signs of prostate cancer include: Pain or burning during urination or ejaculation Frequent urination, particularly at night Having a hard time stopping or starting urination Sudden onset of erectile dysfunction Blood in either the semen or urine Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendations Since prostate cancer that's diagnosed early has a five-year survival rate of 100%, getting proper screening is important. The American Cancer Society recommends that men over 50 with average risk and men over 40 with a high risk of developing prostate cancer should get screened regularly for prostate cancer. Risk factors of prostate cancer include:Age, the majority of cases are found in men over 40African-American men tend to be at higher riskGeographical location, because those in North America, northwestern Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean islands are at higher riskFamily history of prostate cancer How Prostate Cancer Is Diagnosed Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur in people over the age of 50. There were roughly 147,950 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2020, accounting for 9.2% of all new cancers. Early detection generally occurs at a rate of 38%, with the majority of colorectal cancers being diagnosed after the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. In recent years, colorectal cancer death rates have dropped because the colorectal polyps found during screenings are less likely to develop into cancer if removed promptly. Early signs of colorectal cancer include: Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or stool narrowing that lasts more than a few daysFeeling like you need to have a bowel movement and finding no relief from the feeling afterwardBright red rectal bleeding or blood in the stoolAbdominal pain or crampingWeakness and fatigueUnintended weight loss Colon Cancer Screening: Tests and Recommendations Melanoma Melanoma makes up roughly 1% of all skin cancers, but is the cause of the majority of skin cancer deaths. In 2020, there were 100,350 new cases of melanoma, making up 5.6% of all new cancers. The majority of melanoma cases, roughly 83%, are diagnosed in the early stages. The five-year relative survival rate of melanoma cases that were detected early is high at 99%. Early symptoms to watch out for include: A new spot on the skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape, or color, according to the ABCDE rule A sore that doesn’t heal Spread of pigment from the border of a spot into the surrounding skin Redness or a new swelling beyond the border of the mole Change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain Change in the surface of a mole, like scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump Callout: The ABCDE Rule The ABCDE rule is a great tool for keeping track of moles and spots on the body that may be melanoma. When examining your body, look out for:Asymmetry: If a mole or birthmark is not even or one side does not match the otherBorder: Irregular, ragged, or blurred borders can sometimes be a sign of melanomaColor: Changes in color or a spot that is more than one color with different shades of brown or black, or has patches of pink, blue, red, or whiteDiameter: If the spot has a diameter larger than a pencil eraser, it should be examined furtherEvolving: If the spot or mole changes in shape, color, or size Early-Stage Melanoma: Skin Cancer Treatment Bladder Cancer Since the early signs of bladder cancer are quite obvious, early detection can be easier than in other types of cancer. It is estimated that in 2020, there were 81,400 new cases of bladder cancer, accounting for 4.5% of all new cancer cases. The early signs and symptoms of bladder cancer include: Blood in the urineUrinating more than usualA painful or burning sensation while urinatingIncreased urgency in the need to urinate even when your bladder isn't fullHaving difficulty urinating or having a weak urine streamHaving to get up many times during the night to urinate Causes and Risk Factors of Bladder Cancer Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Non-Hodgkin lymphoma originates in the lymphatic system. In 2020, there were an estimated 77,240 new cases of the disease. Roughly 25% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases are diagnosed in the early stages, and when that happens, the five-year relative survival rate is as high as 83.5%. Early signs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include: The enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, causing a lump or bump under the skinFeverChills Night sweats Weight loss Feeling tired or fatiguedSwelling in the abdomen Since most of these symptoms and signs are nonspecific in nature, knowing your risk factors can also inform you how often you need screening for this type of cancer. Causes and Risk Factors of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Kidney Cancer Kidney cancer is hard to diagnose in the early stages because it's difficult to feel small tumors during a physical exam. It is often caught on X-ray or ultrasound conducted for another reason. There were an estimated 73,750 new cases of kidney cancer documented in 2020, with the five-year relative survival rate being 75.2%. The 5-year relative survival rate jumps to 92.6% for cases diagnosed early. The early symptoms of kidney cancer are: Persistent low back pain or pressure on one sideA lump or mass on the side or low back FatigueUnexplained weight loss and a loss of appetite A fever that will not go away and is not caused by infection Low red blood cell count, also known as anemia Swelling of the legs and ankles In men with kidney cancer, a varicocele or cluster of enlarged veins can be found around a testicle, most typically the right testicle How Kidney Cancer Is Diagnosed and Staged Endometrial/Uterine Cancer Endometrial or uterine cancer affects the uterus. In 2020, there were 65,620 newly diagnosed cases, making up 3.6% of the total cancer cases. The majority of endometrial and uterine cancers are diagnosed in the early stages, accounting for 67% of all cases. Early signs of endometrial cancer include: Vaginal bleeding after menopauseBleeding between periodsPelvic pain Risk Factors for Uterine Cancer Although the symptoms of endometrial cancer present early, they can be nonspecific and may mimic those of other less serious health conditions. This is why it’s important to know the risk factors associated with the disease. The risk factors of uterine cancer are:Things that affect hormone levels, like taking estrogen after menopause, birth control pills, or tamoxifen; the number of menstrual cycles; pregnancy; certain ovarian tumors; and polycystic ovarian syndromeUse of an IUDAgeObesityDiet and exerciseType 2 diabetesFamily history of endometrial or colorectal cancerA history of breast or ovarian cancerA history of endometrial hyperplasiaTreatment with radiation therapy to the pelvis to treat another cancer Common Conditions That Can Affect the Uterus Leukemia Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects developing blood cells. It is estimated that there were 60,530 new cases of leukemia in 2020, accounting for 3.4% of all new cancer cases. Since many people do not experience symptoms or the symptoms develop over a long period of time, early diagnosis of leukemia is rare. Certain signs of leukemia could alert a person to be tested, including: Fever and chillsGeneral fatigue and weakness Loss of appetite Night sweats Abdominal discomfort Headaches Shortness of breathFrequent infectionsPetechiae (small red spots under the skin)Anemia (low red blood cell count)Leukopenia (low white blood cell count)Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count) Swollen lymph nodes An enlarged liver or spleen How Leukemia Is Treated Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic cancer affected an estimated 57,600 people in 2020, making up 3.2% of the total new cancer cases. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is vital when it comes to survival because the five-year relative survival rate is low at only 10% for all cases. Early diagnosis raises the five-year survival rate to 39.4%. Similar to the kidney, the pancreas is located deep within the body, making early detection of small tumors extremely difficult. Early signs of pancreatic cancer include: Dark-colored urine Itchy skin Digestive problems that could include abnormal stools, nausea, and vomitingPain in the upper abdomen that may extend to the back Loss of appetite A swollen gallbladderBlood clots How Pancreatic Cancer Is Diagnosed Thyroid Cancer Thyroid cancer affected roughly 52,890 people in 2020, accounting for 2.9% of total cancer cases. About 67% of all thyroid cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages. Not every case of thyroid cancer will present with the same symptoms, but they can include: Fatigue Hoarseness Swollen glands in the neck A persistent cough that is not caused by a cold Neck pain that starts in the front of the neck. In some cases, the pain may extend all the way to the ears.Voice changes that do not go away Difficulty breathing or feeling like you’re breathing through a straw Trouble swallowing What Does a Thyroid Lump Look and Feel Like? Thyroid lumps are generally painless and more firm than the gland itself, so if there is any tenderness or pain with a firm nodule, it’s important to get it checked right away. The thyroid lump can be seen if it is large in size, but typically you cannot see them. Checking for thyroid lumps at home can be easy to do. You can check by:Sitting or standing straight up with your neck muscles relaxedMove your head back and swallowWhile you swallow, take your hand and feel the base of your neck below the throat and above your collarbone for any lumps, nodules, or asymmetry Causes and Risk Factors of Thyroid Cancer Liver Cancer Liver cancer affected 42,810 people in 2020. This number accounts for 2.4% of new cancer cases. The five-year relative survival rate for liver cancer is low at only 19.6%. When it is diagnosed early, the survival rate is a little higher at 34.2%. Some signs to look out for include: Pain in the right side of the upper abdomen or near the right shoulder blade An enlarged liver that can be felt as a mass under the ribs on the right side Bloating or abdominal swelling that develops as a mass Jaundice (the yellowing of the skin and eyes) Unintended weight loss Loss of appetite or feelings of fullness after small meals Nausea or vomiting that’s not associated with other conditions Persistent and ongoing general weakness or fatigue Fever that cannot be attributed to other conditions An enlarged spleen that can be felt as a mass under the ribs on the left side How to Prevent Liver Cancer A Word From Verywell Knowing the early warning signs of cancer can make a huge difference in your odds for survival. Some symptoms are general and nonspecific, which can make it difficult to determine if follow-up testing is needed. There are, however, seven signs of cancer that you should never ignore, including a sore that doesn’t heal or doesn’t stop bleeding, a lump anywhere on the body, unexplained bleeding or discharge from any part of the body, bladder or bowel changes that are persistent in nature, a cough or hoarseness that doesn’t go away, indigestion or difficulty swallowing that doesn’t go away, and any skin changes such as new warts or moles. Getting screened for cancer is scary, but it is necessary if you have risk factors for specific types of cancer and has a positive long-term impact if cancer is diagnosed. 33 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cancer.Net. 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Colorectal cancer signs and symptoms. American Cancer Society. Melanoma skin cancer statistics. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: melanoma of the skin. American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: bladder cancer. American Cancer Society. Bladder cancer signs and symptoms. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: non-Hodgkin lymphoma. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: kidney and renal pelvis cancer. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Kidney cancer symptoms. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: uterine cancer. Mayo Clinic. Endometrial cancer. American Cancer Society. Endometrial cancer risk factors. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: leukemia. Cancer Treatment Centers of American. Symptoms of leukemia. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: pancreatic cancer. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Pancreatic cancer symptoms. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: thyroid cancer. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Thyroid cancer symptoms. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Liver cancer symptoms. By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit