Doctor Yousuf Zafar, who has more than 20 years experience working as an oncologist, has shared the major cancer warning signs as he urges people to visit a professional if they start to experience any of them
A doctor has shared five cancer warning signs you should never ignore because an early diagnosis could save your life. Doctor Yousuf Zafar, who has worked as an oncologist for more than 20 years, is urging people to visit their doctor as soon as they start to experience an unexplained symptom.
While your symptoms might not lead to anything as sinister as a cancer diagnosis, it’s always best to know what’s going on inside your body. In his TikTok video, he said: “Never ignore persistent, unexplained symptoms. It might not be cancer, but you should always talk to your doctor. “This is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace personalised medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about your specific situation.”
1. Unexplained weight loss
The doctor shared how some people drop 10 pounds without trying – but never stop to question why when their lifestyle and exercise routine have remained the same. He said: “Consider this a red flag.”
2. New lumps or bumps
He said: “Most of these are harmless but if you notice something that’s developing, and has grown and doesn’t go away, make sure you get it checked.
“The same can be said for a new skin lesion that you notice is getting darker, has an irregular border, or is changing in appearance.”
3. Non-healing symptoms
Doctor Zafar urged people to consult a professional if they have a new cough, sore throat or a change in the tone of their voice for more than a few weeks.
4. Unusual bleeding
If you start to cough up blood, or notice blood in your stool, then you should visit a doctor immediately as your body is likely trying to tell you something.
5. Persistent symptoms
Finally, he says another sign could be “any persistent, unexplained change” such as constant fatigue, or a change in your bowel habits.
He added: “These are symptoms you should always talk to your doctor about.”
If you have any concerns about your health, be sure to see a medical professional as soon as possible. You can also visit the NHS website for more advice about cancer.