Dr. Timothy Woodman has outlined five cancer symptoms that people frequently dismiss as everyday complaints rather than warning signs.
The Bupa UK Medical Director, Policy and Cancer Services, warned that unexplained fatigue tops the list of overlooked red flags. “If you’re sleeping well but still find that you’re tired all the time without there being any clear reason why, speak to a health professional and get yourself checked,” he said. “There could be several reasons behind unexplained fatigue, including stress, nutritional deficiencies, diet and dehydration. However, in some cases, it could be caused by cancer, so it’s always wise to get yourself checked if you’re concerned.”
Weight loss without trying ranks second among the commonly missed signals. Dr. Woodman noted that if you or others have noticed that you’ve lost weight but you’ve haven’t ‘consciously changed your diet or been exercising more’ then you should go speak to a healthcare professional. “Certain types of cancer can cause your body to lose the ability to absorb nutrients from your food, or can cause blockages or swelling in your organs which can make you feel full and lose your appetite,” he explained. “Unexplained weight loss can occur for several reasons, but it’s always best to get checked to rule out more serious causes.”
Unexplained aches and pains that worsen or change over time also demand attention, according to the oncologist. “It’s especially key to speak to your doctor if the pain worsens or changes,” Dr. Woodman insisted. While minor bumps and bruises from accidents are normal, persistent discomfort without cause warrants investigation.
Night sweats severe enough to soak bedding constitute the fourth symptom people often ignore. “You might notice excessive sweating more at night, especially if it soaks your bedding,” said Dr. Woodman, adding: “Often night sweats are caused by menopause, medications or infections, but in some cases it can be indicative of cancer, so it’s always best to be sure and get checked.” Lymphoma carries a particularly strong association with this symptom, with MyLymphomaTeam noting that one in four Hodgkin lymphoma patients and one in three fast-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients experience excessive sweating.
Sudden or easy bruising without injury rounds out the five warning signs. “If you’ve not hurt an area of your body but notice bruising, speak to your GP, particularly if this is something you’ve noticed on a recurring basis,” Dr. Woodman said. “For some people, sudden bruises or bruising easily without a cause could be a sign of blood cancers which can affect how well your blood is able to clot. Getting this checked early can help to rule out more serious cases.”
Dr. Woodman drew a sharp distinction between symptoms requiring immediate attention versus those with a slightly longer window. “Some symptoms, like new skin lumps, growths, unexplained bleeding or coughing up blood, should alert you to speak with a healthcare professional as soon as possible,” he urged. “For other persistent symptoms, speak to a healthcare professional if they’ve lasted for three weeks or longer, such as an unexplained cough, bloating, fatigue and weight loss.”
The guidance arrives as data from Cancer Research UK underscores the life-saving potential of early detection. When cancer is caught in stages 1 or 2, treatment success rates climb dramatically. In England, more than six in ten lung cancer patients survive at least five years when diagnosed at stage 1, while ‘almost all’ stage 1 breast cancer patients reach the same milestone.
Those affected by cancer concerns can contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.