After 40, the body starts sending signals it didn't send before, and it is easy to brush them aside between work, family, and daily life. This article is not meant to scare you: the great majority of these signs have common, treatable causes. It is meant to help you know when it is worth pausing and getting checked.
Before we start: an important clarification
None of the symptoms on this list means, on its own, that you have cancer. All of them can come from many other causes —infections, hormonal changes, digestive problems, stress— and only a medical evaluation can determine their origin. The practical rule is simple: whatever is new, has no explanation, and does not go away within a few weeks should be checked.
What general changes should I watch for?
- Unexplained weight loss. Losing several kilos without changing your diet or your physical activity deserves an appointment.
- Tiredness that does not improve with rest. Not the normal tiredness of a heavy week, but a persistent fatigue that does not go away even when you sleep well.
- Repeated fevers or night sweats without a clear infection.
- Persistent pain in one specific area that lasts for weeks without an apparent cause.
Which lumps or bumps should be checked?
Any new lump that does not go away within a few weeks should be evaluated by a doctor, especially in:
- The breast or armpit, in women and in men too.
- The neck, the groin, or under the skin.
- The testicles.
Most lumps turn out to be cysts or lymph nodes swollen for benign reasons, but you cannot know that by touch: it takes a physical exam and, sometimes, imaging studies or a biopsy. Checking yourself once a month in the shower is a good habit for getting to know your body and noticing changes in time.
What kinds of bleeding are not normal?
Bleeding that is out of the ordinary is always a reason to see a doctor, without waiting:
- Blood in the stool or very dark stools.
- Blood in the urine, even if it does not hurt.
- Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause. That last one is an especially important sign: after menopause there should not be any bleeding at all.
- Coughing up blood or very frequent nosebleeds.
What about changes in the skin and in moles?
Keep an eye on your moles with the "ABCDE" guide: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, uneven Color, Diameter larger than 6 mm, and Evolution (any change in size, shape, or color). It is also worth checking wounds or sores that do not heal —on the skin or in the mouth— and new spots that keep growing.
Other signs you should not let pass
- A cough or hoarseness that lasts more than three or four weeks, especially if you smoke or used to smoke.
- Difficulty swallowing or the feeling that food gets stuck.
- Changes in bowel habits (persistent constipation or diarrhea) or in the way you urinate.
- Constant indigestion or heartburn that you did not have before.
Which screenings are right for my age?
The best way to stay ahead of cancer is to detect it before it causes symptoms. As a general guide to discuss with your doctor:
- Women starting at age 25: regular screening for cervical cancer (Pap smear and/or HPV test).
- Women 40 and older: regular mammograms, as directed by your doctor.
- Men and women starting at age 45: colon cancer screening (stool blood test or colonoscopy).
- Men starting at ages 45–50: talk with your doctor about prostate checks.
- People who smoke or smoked for a long time: ask about lung cancer screening.
The exact frequency depends on your personal and family history; your doctor will adjust it with you.
Listening to your body is also caring for your family
If something on this list sounded familiar, don't put it off and don't sit with the doubt searching the internet. Most likely it has a simple cause, and if it doesn't, detecting it early makes all the difference. At the Unidad de Oncología Menonita, the Mennonite cancer center in Cuauhtémoc, we can do your evaluation, the tests, and any biopsies that are needed, close to home. Book your appointment via WhatsApp at 614 120 2911.
Sources:
- https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/como-entender-el-cancer/senales-y-sintomas-del-cancer.html
- https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/diagnostico-estadificacion/sintomas
- https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/deteccion-diagnostico-y-clasificacion-por-etapas/pruebas-de-deteccion/guias-de-la-sociedad-americana-contra-el-cancer-para-la-deteccion-temprana-del-cancer.html
This content is for information purposes and does not replace a medical consultation.