A cancer specialist is urging people not to dismiss persistent, subtle health changes that could be early warning signs of the disease. Dr Jiri Kubes, radiation oncologist and medical director at the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, says many people still believe cancer always causes obvious symptoms in its early stages, which can delay vital treatment.
Why vague symptoms are often missed
Cases of cancer are on the rise, with more than 403,000 people now diagnosed each year — equal to around 1,100 every day, or one person every 80 seconds. Dr Kubes explains that early warning signs are often vague and easily explained by more common conditions.
‘Cancer doesn’t always announce itself dramatically, and many of the early warning signs are vague and easily explained by more common conditions,’ he tells Metro. ‘The important thing isn’t to become anxious about every cough or ache, but to pay attention to symptoms that persist, keep returning or simply don’t feel normal for you.’
Although he notes ‘one symptom on its own rarely points to cancer’, the specialist is urging people not to dismiss ongoing problems — however small they may seem. ‘In many cases they’ll turn out to have a harmless explanation, but if something more serious is going on, getting it checked early gives us the best possible chance of diagnosing and treating it successfully,’ Dr Kubes adds.
The three most-overlooked signs
Persistent fatigue
Feeling exhausted after a hectic week or sleepless night is normal, but fatigue that doesn’t improve after rest, or which affects your ability to work, exercise or carry out everyday activities, is a red flag for doctors.
Dr Kubes explains: ‘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
‘A persistent cough doesn’t automatically mean cancer,’ highlights Dr Kubes. ‘In fact, there are many more common causes.’ However, since most coughs linked to colds and viral infections clear up within a few weeks, one that doesn’t go away or gradually worsens past this point warrants a trip to the GP. If it’s also accompanied by breathlessness, chest pain or coughing up blood, you should seek urgent medical assistance.
Unexplained weight loss
If your diet or routine is the same as before but the number on the scales isn’t, it can be an indication something isn’t right — and something your doctor will want to investigate.
‘If you’re losing weight despite eating normally and haven’t intentionally changed your lifestyle, it’s important to understand why,’ says the cancer specialist. ‘Often there will be another explanation, but it’s not something that should simply be overlooked.’
The key takeaway
Dr Kubes adds: ‘The important thing is persistence. If something continues for several weeks, keeps returning or simply doesn’t feel right for you, it’s always worth getting checked rather than assuming it will eventually go away.’
