Four red flags that could signal cancer (2024)

Cancer symptoms: Top 14 early signs to look out for

There are more than 200 types of cancer that can affect the human body. The disease occurs when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way and spread to surrounding tissue.

As with any medical condition or disease, the sooner you spot the signs the sooner you can seek treatment and hopefully catch it before it is too late.

However, symptoms can vary massively depending on the individual as well as type of cancer you have.

Sometimes symptoms can also be subtle or easily mistaken for something else.

According to Cancer Research UK, there are four signs of cancer that can appear in the mouth - all of which could be dismissed for a less serious issue.

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Difficulty swallowing could be a sign of oesophageal cancer (Image: Getty Images)

These signs are:

• A croaky voice or hoarseness that won’t go away
• A cough that won’t go away
• Mouth or tongue ulcers that last longer than three weeks
• Difficulty swallowing.

Croaky voice or hoarseness

A croaky voice or feeling hoarse can be common with colds.

However, a croaky or hoarse voice that “hasn’t gone away” should be checked out, Cancer Research UK says.

This could be a symptom of laryngeal cancer, a type of cancer that affects the larynx (voice box).

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A persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks should prompt a visit to the GP (Image: Getty)

Other telltale signs of laryngeal cancer include:

• Pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing
• A lump or swelling in your neck
• A long-lasting cough or breathlessness
• A persistent sore throat or earache
• A high-pitched wheezing noise when you breathe
• In severe cases, difficulty breathing.

Persistent cough

Coughs are common with colds and some other health conditions.

Cancer Research UK says: “But if a cough doesn’t go away in a few weeks or gets worse, it could be a sign of cancer.”

As mentioned above, a long-lasting cough can be a sign of laryngeal cancer. However, it is also the most common sign of lung cancer.

General symptoms of cancer to be aware of (Image: Express.co.uk)

Other symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Having a new cough
• Getting out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem
• Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it
• Having an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder
• Chest infections that keep coming back or a chest infection that doesn't get better
• Losing your appetite
• Feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
• Losing weight.

Mouth or tongue ulcers

Ulcers can appear in the mouth when you’re a bit run down and typically get better in about two weeks.

“But you should report an ulcer or red or white patch that doesn’t heal after 3 weeks to your doctor or dentist,” Cancer Research UK says.

They can be a warning sign of mouth cancer, along with:

• A red or white patch inside your mouth
• A lump inside your mouth or on your lip
• Pain inside your mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty speaking or a hoarse (croaky) voice
• A lump in your neck or throat
• Losing weight without trying.

Difficulty swallowing

Cancer Research UK adds: “Some medical conditions can make it difficult to swallow.

“Talk to your doctor if you are having difficulty swallowing and the problem doesn’t go away.”

Difficulty swallowing could mean you have oesophageal cancer.

Other signs of this disease include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Indigestion or heartburn that doesn't go away
• Pain in your throat or behind your breastbone.