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- Fatigue, unexplained weight loss and persistent pain are among the nonspecific symptoms that may signal an underlying malignancy. But such symptoms can be misinterpreted or easily dismissed, which contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
theconversation.com/silent-cancers-heres-what-you-need-to-know-when-there-are-no-obvious-symptoms-226536Silent cancers: here’s what you need to know when there are ...
People also ask
What is silent cancer?
Can Silent cancer be diagnosed early?
How long can you have cancer without knowing it?
Can a cancerous tumor be diagnosed early?
Why does cancer go undetected?
How do I know if I have cancer?
- Overview
- Types of cancers that are more likely to go undetected
- Early and later stage symptoms of asymptomatic cancers
- Signs vs. symptoms of cancer
- When to see a doctor
- Why it’s important to catch cancer early
- Takeaway
With some types of cancer, you may not experience symptoms in the early stages. Certain exams may help doctors detect many types of cancer before they spread.
When you read about cancer or hear that a friend or loved one has received a cancer diagnosis, it’s natural to be full of questions.
Could you have a cancerous tumor somewhere? How long can you have cancer without knowing about it? Should you be screened?
It’s true that some cancers are diagnosed only after symptoms develop. And this may be after the disease has spread or a tumor has grown large enough to be felt or seen in imaging tests.
But many types of cancers can be diagnosed early, before symptoms form. You have the best chance at survival and a healthy quality of life if your cancer is diagnosed and treated in its early stages.
This article will explore which types of cancers are more likely to go undetected, and how to increase your chances of catching potential cancers early.
Some cancers are more easily detected than others. For example, certain types of skin cancer can be diagnosed initially just by visual inspection — though a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
But other cancers can form and grow undetected for 10 years or more, as one study found, making diagnosis and treatment that much more difficult.
This table shows early and later stage symptoms for asymptomatic types of cancers:
Signs and symptoms of disease can be two different things:
•A sign is something that can be observed by another person, such as a change in skin color or wheezing.
•A symptom is something you feel, such as fatigue or pain, that isn’t obvious to others.
The nature of cancer signs and symptoms differ greatly, depending on where the cancer is located.
Screenings for certain cancers should be part of your normal preventive healthcare. These include cancers of the:
•prostate
•breast
•colon and rectum
•cervix
•skin
For some cancers that are screened for on a regular basis, survival rates tend to be high. That’s because they’re often diagnosed early on, before symptoms develop.
The 5-year survival rate for people with localized breast or prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent. (Localized means it hasn’t spread outside the original tissue or organ.) And when diagnosed early, melanoma has about a 99 percent 5-year survival rate.
But catching some cancers early is difficult. There are no regular screening guidelines for some cancers, and symptoms may not show up until the cancer is in its advanced stages.
To help protect yourself from these cancers:
•Be sure to keep up with your regular blood work and annual physicals.
•Report any new symptoms to your doctor, even if they seem minor.
If you’re wondering how long you can have cancer without knowing it, there’s no straight answer. Some cancers can be present for months or years before they’re detected.
Some commonly undetected cancers are slow-growing conditions, which gives doctors a better chance at successful treatment. Others are more aggressive and can be more challenging to treat.
To increase your chances of catching potential cancers early, keep up with your recommended cancer screening schedule, and report any signs or symptoms of concern as soon as you can to your doctor.
The earlier you catch cancer and begin treatment, the better your odds of a favorable outcome.
- James Roland
Oct 17, 2023 · Breast cancer: In some cases, breast cancer may not cause lumps or apparent symptoms. Mammograms and breast self-examinations can help with the early detection of breast abnormalities.
Oct 15, 2024 · Some silent cancers include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer. Why Do Silent Cancers Have No Initial Symptoms? Some may have cancer without symptoms.
Oct 17, 2022 · Screening is a test that looks for early signs of cancer in people without symptoms – learn more about screening for cancer. What should I look for? There are over 200 signs and symptoms of cancer so it’s not possible to remember them all. It’s also not your job to know what’s wrong.
Jun 23, 2015 · Why have I been referred to a cancer specialist? Do I have cancer? What will happen at the appointment with the cancer specialist?
Cancer can have many different symptoms like unexplained lumps, severe tiredness, or persistent pain. Learn about symptoms and when to see your GP.
