Cancer often develops silently, but your body may give you early warning signs. While these signs don’t always mean cancer, they should never be ignored — especially if they persist or worsen over time.

Here are 8 potential signs of growing or developing cancer in your body:

1. Unexplained Weight Loss

Losing 10 pounds or more without trying can be an early sign of cancers like pancreatic, stomach, lung, or esophageal.
Cancer cells use up a lot of energy and may disrupt metabolism.

2. Persistent Fatigue

Not just tired — this is deep, ongoing exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest.
Common in leukemia, colon, or stomach cancer due to internal bleeding or cell changes.

3. Lumps or Thickening Under the Skin

New lumps in the breast, neck, testicles, armpits, or groin may be a tumor.
Always check if a lump is painless but growing.

4. Changes in Skin

Darkened, yellowed, or reddened skin
Non-healing sores
New or changing moles (size, shape, color, bleeding) — could indicate melanoma

5. Chronic Pain (with No Clear Cause)

Long-lasting pain that doesn’t respond to treatment, especially in the:

• Back (possible bone or ovarian cancer)

• Head (possible brain tumor)

• Abdomen (possible liver, colon, or pancreatic)

6. Persistent Cough or Hoarseness

Lasting more than 3 weeks, especially with blood in sputum
Can be a sign of lung, throat, or thyroid cancer

7. Changes in Bowel or Bladder Habits

Blood in stool or urine
Long-term constipation or diarrhea
Unusual frequent urination or painful urination
May indicate colon, prostate, bladder, or kidney cancer

8. Unusual Bleeding or Discharge

• Vaginal bleeding between periods or after menopause (possible cervical or uterine cancer)

• Nipple discharge (breast cancer)

• Bleeding from rectum, urine, or coughing up blood

When to See a Doctor:

If you notice one or more of these signs persisting for more than 2–3 weeks, it’s time to:

• Get screened

• Ask for blood tests or imaging

• Follow up with a specialist if advised

Early detection can save lives. Many cancers, if caught early, are highly treatable — even curable.