As cancer cells attack healthy ones, your body may respond by losing weight. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), many undiagnosed cancer patients unexpectedly lose 10 pounds or more. In fact, this may be the very first sign of cancer.

Unexplained weight loss can happen in other health conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Still, the difference with cancer is that it can come on rather suddenly. It is most prominent in cancers of the:

• esophagus
• lung
• pancreas
• stomach

10 Signs of Lung Cancer

Fever is the body’s response to an infection or illness. People who have cancer will often have a fever as a symptom but it is usually a sign that the cancer has spread to a new area or that it is affecting the immune system. Fever is rarely an early sign of cancer but may be if a person has a blood cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

Some cancers may also cause unusual bleeding. For instance, colon or rectal cancer might cause bloody stools, while blood in the urine may be a sign of prostate or bladder cancer. It’s important to report such symptoms or any unusual discharge to your doctor for analysis.

Blood loss may be more discreet in stomach cancer.

Pain and Tiredness

Cough can occur for a number of reasons. It is your body’s natural way of getting rid of unwanted substances, and it can happen from colds, allergies, the flu, or even low humidity. When it comes to lung cancer, however, the cough can persist for a long time despite remedies. The cough may be frequent, and it can cause hoarseness. As the disease progresses, you may even cough up blood.

A persistent cough is also sometimes a symptom of thyroid cancer.

Skin Changes