(HealthyResearch.com) – Often, people associate cancer with weight loss, feeling tired, or finding a lump or growth where it shouldn’t be. Those can all be symptoms, but there are plenty of other indications of cancer that might not be as obvious. Here are four bizarre cancer symptoms you’ll want to watch out for.
1. A Fever You Just Can’t Get Rid Of
While fever is often linked to colds or the flu, it’s also a sign that the body is fighting something. The immune system works hard to fend off bacteria, viruses, and other would-be invaders. If cancer is present, it fights that, as well. An immune response without an identifiable cause can lead to a prolonged or persistent fever. It might also lead to recurring minor illnesses. When the body’s immune response is taxed because of cancer, it might be harder to fight off other problems.
If you have a frequent or persistent fever, even if it’s low-grade, a trip to your healthcare provider is in order.
2. Rapid Changes in Your Vision
While vision changes as people age, a sudden or rapid vision change is worth nothing. Many cancers of the eye, optic nerve, and related areas of the body may cause a person’s vision to change quickly. Tumors in the brain are also associated with rapidly changing vision in some people, depending on the region of the brain where the tumor is located.
It’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare provider in response to sudden vision changes. Specialists may determine the underlying reasons for the changes and suggest courses of treatment, but cancer is a potential diagnosis.
3. Choking or Trouble Swallowing Your Food
Many people feel like they have a lump in their throat now and then. Underlying minor causes may include anxiety, sinus drainage, or a host of other issues. Colds, for example, might cause the feeling of a “full” throat and may make it more difficult to swallow.
Frequent choking or trouble swallowing foods are cause for suspicion and may warrant a trip to a healthcare professional. Cancers of the throat, esophagus and thyroid might cause choking or problems with swallowing, and it’s best to catch them early.
4. Changes to the Color of Your Skin
People seek out sunshine for a healthy, sun-kissed glow, but should skin look yellow instead of bronze or tan, liver cancer might be the culprit. People who have respiratory cancer may find that their skin takes on a bluish tint because they aren’t getting enough oxygen through their bloodstream and to their tissues. While many less-worrisome conditions might cause changes to a person’s skin color, take bluish or yellowish skin tones seriously — it could be lifesaving.
Even though cancer is a frightening prospect, prompt diagnosis and treatment save lives. If we notice odd body changes that don’t go away, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider. If something is wrong, reporting symptoms early may help catch and treat any issues sooner. If not, we might have more peace of mind with a clean bill of health. Either way, vigilance, being informed and staying proactive might lead to a longer, healthier life.
~Here’s to Your Health & Safety!
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