The 16 Most Ignored Cancer Symptoms

Pay attention to these cancer symptoms you are most likely to ignore, and get yourself to a doctor if
they persist, according to Caring.com.

Frequent episodes of heartburn or a constant low-level feeling of pain in the chest after eating can mean esophageal cancer, so ask your doctor for a screening.

One of the most common changes women notice before being diagnosed with breast cancer is a nipple that began to appear flattened, inverted or turned sideways.

 Many women reported unusually heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods as the tip-off to endometrial or uterine cancer. 

 In women, breasts that appear red or purplish in color or feel hot, swollen or irritated can mean inflammatory breast cancer.

Bellyaches tipped off a number of people to liver tumors, and stomach cramps or frequent upset stomachs may indicate colorectal cancer.

Difficulty swallowing is most commonly associated with esophageal or throat cancer, but can also be one of the first signs of lung cancer. A hoarse voice or feeling of something pressuring the throat can be an early indicator of thyroid cancer.

 The lumps that point to testicular cancer are nearly always painless. It's also common for a testicle to be enlarged or swollen without any particular lump to point to.

 If you're shedding weight and haven't made any changes to your diet or exercise plans, it could be colon and other digestive cancers. It's also a sign of cancer that's spread to the liver.

 One of the first signs lung cancer patients remember is the inability to catch their breath. Thyroid cancer can also cause breathing problems.

The most common early sign of stomach cancer is pain in the upper or middle abdomen that feels like gas or heartburn.

 Constipation, diarrhea and changes in stools can all be signs of cancer. The key is whether it goes on for more than a few days without a clear cause.

In men, the most common early sign of prostate cancer is a feeling of not being able to start urinating once you're set to go. Many men also report having a hard time stopping the flow of urine. 

General weakness and fatigue could mean a number of things, but when combined with other symptoms could mean cancer or other diseases. 

Frequent high temperatures can be a sign of leukemia, which causes bone marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells and sap the body's infection-fighting abilities.

 A brown or black streak or dot under a fingernail can mean skin cancer, while enlarged ends of the fingers with curved nails can be a sign of lung cancer. Pale or white nails could mean your liver's not functioning properly, perhaps due to cancer.