Call
+918447748545

Published on: Sep 02, 2021
3 minute read
By: Cancer Expert

What Are The First Signs Of Cancer?

What are the first signs of cancer?

Depending on the type of cancer, specific signs and symptoms will vary. There is no single symptom or sign that always indicates cancer.

For example:

A mole may change including color, texture, thickness, and shape over time and these changes need to be monitored by a physician.
Lumps in the breast may be discomforting or painful as well as noted distinct changes such as size, shape, or hardness.
A new cough that can't be cured can signal lung cancer which includes blood in phlegm circulation as well as an abrupt onset of coughing up clear mucus than thick blood-tinged mucus; shortness of breath; weakness; night sweats; fever & weight loss due to infectious complications from treatment

If you have any skin change, mole growth, sores in your mouth or on the outside of your body, or bleeding from anywhere including nosebleeds. You have no appetite and can't keep food down. Or there is weight loss in a short amount of time. Your breathing has a funny smell to it because you're not getting any oxygen into the lungs where there's supposed to be blood going through this way that's sign number two that something might be wrong because usually when somebody would have cancer, they'll notice these red marks on their bodies kind of like what I'm talking about if somebody had chickenpox before they would get these weather marks. And lastly for this one vomiting up blood or fresh blood from somewhere

The first signs of cancer might be a general sense of fatigue and lack of energy, which can come and go, and many patients won't know that this is something to worry about. Other symptoms include night sweats or problems with sleep due to pain or difficulty breathing. The most common problem people might notice is a change in bowel habits such as diarrhea alternating with constipation. There may also be warning signs such as coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, fevers that last more than three days without other cause (such as an infection), bleeding from the vagina in women who are not on their menstrual cycle (or vaginal bleeding after menopause), blurred vision without previous eye problems (which does not respond

Signs of cancer can include a unique smell coming from the mouth, swollen glands in the neck, a lump on a breast or testicle, tonsillitis with prolonged fever, and sensitivity to light.

But also, beware of false alarms! Some people have white patches on their tonsils or spotty saliva that they mistake for early signs of oral cancer. That's often because they have been abnormally dry from excessive inhalation of smoke-related toxins such as formaldehyde, chromium, and nickel. In most cases, these spots are nothing more than one side effect from this kind of chronic exposure - along with loss of taste sensation and dental problems - but it still does require medical attention.

Soon after, swelling in lymph nodes typically begins to develop under the arm or in the neck. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are responsible for defending the body against infection. The high levels of lymphocytes cause them to congregate in certain areas, generating swollen lymph nodes which feel hard and moveable.

The first sign of cancer is bloody stool. If you are a suspect, speak to your doctor immediately. Second Medic consultation online will help you have a diagnosis of any diseases at the early stages so that treatment can be started in good time.

It depends on where the cancer is in your body, but some common first signs of cancer include painless lumps, swelling in one area that doesn't go away with time, unexplained weight gain or loss, easy bruising, or bleeding for no known reason. If you experience any of these symptoms you should consult a medical professional immediately.

The first sign of cancer is also when you don't feel well. Then, consult a medical professional urgently.

The most important step in preventing cancer is being proactive about your health. Cancer doesn't just happen out of nowhere, it's usually the culmination of bad lifestyle choices (smoking, overeating, not enough sleep) and neglecting oneself--our bodies are fragile machines that require constant upkeep. If we find ourselves feeling bad for an extended period of time then there may be something beyond our control at play--seek medical attention ASAP to get down to the root cause!

The first signs of cancer are typically the formation of a lump, such as a tumor. Lumps can be painless and yet still lead to potential health problems. If you suspect that you have any type of abnormal swelling or lumps in your breast or another area, contact your physician immediately.

The next thing to note is the color and feel of the skin:

Is there an unnatural change in skin color?
Are skin lesions present?
Do you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding anywhere on your body?

Are there new areas on your skin that appear discolored and blotchy? These could be patches from birthmarks too but it's best to get them checked out by a dermatologist

Read Blog

Early Cancer Detection Tests India: Protecting Health Through Timely Screening

Cancer has become one of India’s most significant health challenges, with cases rising steadily across all age groups. According to ICMR, India reports over 14 lakh new cancer cases annually, and many of these are detected in late stages when treatment becomes more complex and survival rates drop dramatically. Early cancer detection tests India play a critical role in identifying abnormal cell activity before cancer fully develops, enabling timely intervention and life-saving outcomes.

SecondMedic offers guided cancer screening support, ensuring individuals understand their risks, choose the right tests, and receive expert interpretation from oncologists and preventive health specialists.

Why Early Detection Matters

1. Higher Survival Rates

Cancers detected at Stage 1 have significantly better treatment outcomes compared to Stage 3 or Stage 4.

2. Less Aggressive Treatment Required

Early-stage cancers often require minimal surgery or targeted therapy.

3. Lower Medical Costs

Advanced cancer care is far more expensive; prevention reduces long-term expenses.

4. Improved Quality of Life

Early detection prevents complications and preserves healthy tissue.

5. Detects Silent or Slow-Growing Cancers

Many cancers-such as cervical, prostate, and thyroid-show no symptoms in early stages.

Who Needs Early Cancer Screening in India?

While screening is recommended for everyone after age 30, certain groups need earlier and more frequent tests:

People with family history of cancer
Smokers or alcohol users
Women with hormonal issues or late pregnancies
Individuals with obesity or diabetes
People exposed to pollution, chemicals, or radiation
Individuals with chronic infections (HPV, Hepatitis B/C)

SecondMedic provides risk-based screening pathways for personalized evaluation.

Key Early Cancer Detection Tests in India

1. Tumor Marker Tests

Blood tests that measure specific proteins or molecules associated with cancer growth.

Common markers include:

AFP (liver cancer)
PSA (prostate cancer)
CA-125 (ovarian cancer)
CEA (colon cancer)
CA 15-3 (breast cancer)
CYFRA 21-1 (lung cancer)

2. Mammography

The gold standard for early breast cancer detection.

3. Pap Smear & HPV Test

Identifies cervical cancer risk long before symptoms appear.

4. Low-Dose CT Scan (LDCT)

Used for lung cancer screening in smokers or high-risk individuals.

5. Ultrasound & Pelvic Imaging

Detect ovarian, uterine, renal, and liver abnormalities.

6. Colonoscopy

Recommended for individuals over 45 or those with family history of colorectal cancer.

7. Genetic Screening Panels

Identify hereditary cancer genes such as:

BRCA1/BRCA2 (breast & ovarian cancer)
Lynch syndrome genes
TP53 mutations

These tests help predict cancer risk decades in advance.

8. Full Body Cancer Screening Packages

SecondMedic offers detailed screening packages combining:

Blood tests
Tumor markers
Imaging
Specialist review

How Early Cancer Screening Works

Step 1: Risk Analysis

SecondMedic evaluates factors such as family history, lifestyle, genetic profile, and symptoms.

Step 2: Test Selection

Appropriate tests are recommended based on gender, age, and risk.

Step 3: Home Sample Collection

Blood and urine samples are collected at home.

Step 4: Lab Analysis

Conducted at NABL-accredited labs.

Step 5: Imaging Referrals

If needed, imaging tests such as mammography or CT scans are arranged.

Step 6: Specialist Review

Oncologists interpret results and recommend follow-up.

Step 7: Monitoring Plan

Continuous tracking ensures early alerts if abnormalities appear.

Advantages of Early Cancer Detection Tests

Detects Cancer Before Symptoms Begin

Most cancers progress silently; early tests reveal abnormalities early.

Reduces Treatment Complexity

Less aggressive options like targeted therapy or minimally invasive surgery may be enough.

Protects High-Risk Individuals

Genetic screening identifies inherited risk early.

Supports Long-Term Health Planning

Individuals can modify lifestyle and habits based on results.

Peace of Mind

Regular screening reduces anxiety about unknown risks.

Challenges in Early Cancer Detection in India

Limited Awareness

Many individuals do not know screening exists until symptoms appear.

Fear and Social Stigma

People often avoid tests due to anxiety or misinformation.

Access Issues in Rural Areas

Specialized screening centers are mostly in cities.

Cost Barriers

Some advanced tests remain expensive.

SecondMedic addresses these challenges through affordable testing, at-home sample collection, and accessible online consultations.

Future of Cancer Screening in India

AI-Based Oncology Tools

Machine learning models for identifying cancer patterns earlier than humans.

Liquid Biopsy

A blood test that can detect multiple cancers at once (multi-cancer early detection).

Genomic Risk Scores

Predict cancer risk based on DNA analysis.

Nationwide Screening Through ABDM

Integrated cancer registries and digital screening records.

SecondMedic is building digital systems to incorporate these advancements into everyday preventive care.

Conclusion

Early cancer detection tests India empower individuals by revealing risk factors, detecting silent cancers, and enabling timely treatment. With modern diagnostics, advanced tumor markers, genetic testing, and imaging tools, cancer can be caught long before it becomes life-threatening. SecondMedic ensures accessible, expert-guided early screening to help individuals take control of their long-term health.

To book your early cancer detection test, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

ICMR - National Cancer Registry Programme
WHO - Cancer screening guidelines
NCI - Early detection research
Statista - Oncology diagnostics growth in India
NITI Aayog - Preventive health ecosystem
SecondMedic oncology insights

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.