An oncologist has urged people not to ignore potential symptoms of cancer, describing them as "silent" warning signs that are often dismissed. Persistent tiredness, unexplained weight loss, or a cough that refuses to go away are frequently blamed on aging, a busy lifestyle, or a lingering virus. However, Dr Jiri Kubes, a radiation oncologist and Medical Director at Proton Therapy Centre in Prague, says these are among the symptoms people too often ignore for months before seeking medical advice.
Cancer cases at record high in the UK
The warning comes as cancer cases in the UK have reached a record high. More than 403,000 people are now diagnosed every year — around 1,100 every day, or one person every 80 seconds — according to Cancer Research UK’s latest figures.
Dr Kubes noted that one of the biggest misconceptions is that cancer always causes severe pain or dramatic symptoms from the outset. In reality, early warning signs are often subtle and can easily be mistaken for far more common conditions.
Persistent fatigue
Everyone feels tired after a busy week or poor sleep, but persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest is something doctors take more seriously. It can affect your ability to work, exercise, or carry out everyday activities and often feels very different from ordinary tiredness.
Dr Kubes said: “Cancer-related fatigue is often described as an overwhelming exhaustion that doesn’t improve with sleep. There are many possible explanations, including anaemia, thyroid disorders, infections and poor sleep, but persistent fatigue should always be discussed with your GP if it isn’t improving.”
A cough that won’t go away
Most coughs caused by viral infections settle within a few weeks, but one that persists or gradually worsens should not be ignored. This is particularly true if it’s accompanied by breathlessness, chest pain, or coughing up blood.
“A persistent cough doesn’t automatically mean cancer,” Dr Kubes said. “In fact, there are many more common causes. However, if it continues beyond a few weeks or behaves differently from a typical cough, it’s sensible to have it assessed.”
Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine can sometimes be an early sign that something isn’t right. Although many conditions can cause unexpected weight loss, it is one of the symptoms doctors always want to investigate.
Dr Kubes said: “If you’re losing weight despite eating normally and haven’t intentionally changed your lifestyle, it’s important to understand why. Often there will be another explanation, but it’s not something that should simply be overlooked.”
He added: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting for symptoms to become severe before seeking help. Cancer doesn’t always announce itself dramatically, and many of the early warning signs are vague and easily explained by more common conditions.”
