Test Your Knowledge of Cancer's Warning Signs
Early detection of cancer is important because it is usually easier to treat—and possibly cure—when caught early. Do you know what signs to look for? Take this quiz to find out more.
1. Any sudden or progressive change in a mole's appearance could be a sign of skin cancer.
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That’s why it’s important to regularly check your skin for any changes in moles, freckles, or other skin marks, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says.
2. A sore that doesn't heal could be a sign of skin cancer.
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Other signs include a mole, bump, or nodule that is scaly, lumpy, crusty, oozing, or bleeding; pain, itchiness, tenderness, or changes in sensation in a mole or growth; swelling, redness, or spread of color into the skin near a mole or growth; and a part of a mole’s pigmented area that used to be flat beginning to rise.
3. One sign of malignant melanoma is a mole tinged with shades of tan, brown, black, or blue.
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Other signs include one half of a mole that doesn't match the other half; a mole with edges that are ragged, notched, or blurred; a mole with pigmentation that is uneven or changing; and a mole that is larger than a pencil eraser. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms, the ACS says.
4. Changes, lumps, or hard masses in the testicles are signs of testicular cancer.
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In nine in 10 cases of testicular cancer, the man has a lump on a testicle or notices that the testicle is swollen, the ACS says. The ACS recommends that a testicular exam be included as part of a man's general health checkup. See your doctor if you detect any abnormalities in your testicles.
5. A change in bowel habits—blood in the stool or chronic constipation—is a symptom of stomach cancer.
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A change in bowel habits is a symptom of colon and rectal cancer. Other symptoms include rectal bleeding, abdominal cramping, and weight loss. Stomach cancer generally does not cause symptoms early in the disease. It is also not that common in the United States, the ACS says.
6. Lumps, hard knots, or a thickening in the breast could indicate breast cancer.
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Mammography is an important tool for detecting breast cancer early on, when it’s easiest to treat. But the benefits and limitations of mammography vary based on factors like age and personal risk. Experts have different recommendations for mammography. Currently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening every two years for women ages 50 to 74. The ACS recommends yearly screening for all women ages 40 and older. Women should talk with their doctors about their personal risk factors before making a decision about when to start getting mammograms or how often they should get them. The ACS recommends clinical breast exams (CBEs) at least every three years for all women in their 20s and 30s and annual CBEs for women ages 40 and older. The USPSTF, however, believes there is not enough evidence to assess the value of CBEs for women ages 40 and older. Women should talk with their doctors about their personal risk factors and make a decision about whether they should have a CBE.
7. A nagging cough or hoarseness could be signs of lung cancer.
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Other possible signs are a chest ache and increased sputum or blood in the sputum. These symptoms could be caused by something other than cancer, but be sure to have any of these checked out by your doctor.
8. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages.
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Signs of advanced prostate cancer include difficulty in urination, back pain, trouble getting an erection, and blood in the urine.
9. Symptoms of mouth or tongue cancer include a sore inside the mouth that doesn't heal and mouth pain that doesn't get better or go away.
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These cancers appear primarily in people who smoke and chew tobacco. Regular dental checkups that include a whole mouth exam can help detect these cancers early, the ACS says.
10. Bladder cancer has no symptoms.
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The most common symptoms are blood in the urine or changes in bladder habits, the ACS says. These could be signs of other medical problems, so be sure to tell your doctor if you notice changes.
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