An oncologist has explained the common cancer symptoms people should look for after country music star Dolly Parton died following a brief battle with cancer. Her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said in a statement: “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.” The type of cancer was not disclosed.
Parton's death announced
The singer, 80, was best known for hits including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene. Her death was announced late on Tuesday via an Instagram video by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security. He said it was “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness” to share the news, adding: “But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
Parton's husband Carl Dean died last year, aged 82. Flags will be lowered throughout America in Parton's honour, US President Donald Trump announced, posting on Truth Social “there has never been anyone like her”.
Common symptoms to watch for
Persistent tiredness, unexplained weight loss or a cough that refuses to go away are often blamed on getting older, a busy lifestyle or a lingering virus. But according to one cancer specialist, these are among the symptoms that people too often ignore for months before finally seeking medical advice.
Dr Jiri Kubes, radiation oncologist and Medical Director at Proton Therapy Center, said one of the biggest misconceptions is that cancer always causes severe pain or dramatic symptoms from the outset. He said: “One symptom on its own rarely points to cancer, and the vast majority of people experiencing these symptoms will not have cancer. 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.”
Fatigue, cough and weight loss
Persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest is something doctors take seriously. 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 persists or gradually worsens should not be ignored, especially if 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 without changing diet or exercise can be an early sign that something isn't right. 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. 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. 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.”
