Symptoms of Cancer

There is no single "cancer symptom" - there is a pattern: something new, persistent and unexplained that does not go away in 2-3 weeks deserves a doctor, not a wait.

The general warning signs

• A new lump or thickening anywhere - breast, neck, armpit, groin, testicle
• Unexplained weight loss (5 kg or more without trying)
• Persistent fatigue that rest does not fix
• Fever that keeps returning without a clear infection
• Night sweats that soak clothes
• A sore that does not heal - mouth, skin, anywhere
• Unusual bleeding or discharge: blood in stool or urine, bleeding between periods or after menopause, blood in sputum
• A mole that changes size, shape, color or bleeds
• Persistent cough or hoarseness beyond 3 weeks
• Trouble swallowing that progresses
• Change in bowel or bladder habits that persists

India-specific red flags

• Mouth: a white or red patch, an ulcer not healing in 2 weeks, reduced mouth opening - especially in tobacco or supari users. Mouth cancer is among India's commonest and most visible cancers; a dentist or doctor can check in minutes
• Breast: any new lump, skin dimpling, nipple change or discharge - examine monthly, get checked promptly
• Cervix: bleeding after intercourse or between periods - HPV vaccination and screening exist for a reason
• Persistent indigestion or early fullness with weight loss (stomach), chronic cough with blood (lung), blood in stool with changed habit (colon)

What to do with a warning sign

See a qualified doctor within days - not months. Most warning signs turn out NOT to be cancer, but the only safe way to sort them is examination and, if needed, a scan or biopsy. Early-stage cancer is dramatically more curable than late-stage; the single most useful "treatment" is often the timely appointment.

Emergencies

Severe bleeding, sudden breathlessness, new confusion or seizures, unbearable pain, or vomiting everything: emergency care now - 112 / 102.

One-line summary

New + persistent + unexplained = get checked in days. Mouth patches, breast lumps, abnormal bleeding and unexplained weight loss are the highest-value signals in India.