Experts say five cancer symptoms often slip under the radar, dismissed as everyday problems, but they could mean something far more serious.

Sometimes a cancer diagnosis can arrive completely out of the blue, with no signs whatsoever, but more often than not, the body gives subtle warnings before things get worse.

Now, experts at John Hopkins University are urging people not to dismiss certain symptoms, no matter how small they might seem, because they could be linked to something much more serious.

Doctors say the best thing you can do for yourself is pay attention to changes in your body – if something suddenly appears or gradually worsens, it’s always safer to check in with your doctor.

Shortness of breath

One of the first things to look out for is shortness of breath – getting out of breath after the gym or a run is normal, but if you’re suddenly puffing and struggling to breathe while climbing stairs or carrying out everyday tasks, that’s unusual and should be checked.

Unexplained bleeding

Unexplained bleeding is another sign that shouldn’t be brushed off. While not all bleeding is linked to cancer, certain types are more concerning, like coughing up blood, seeing blood in your stool, noticing abnormal vaginal bleeding, passing blood in urine, or even spotting bloody discharge from the nipple.

These symptoms can be caused by other conditions, but doctors say they always warrant further investigation.

Lumps and masses

Then there are lumps and masses. Many lumps are harmless – like swollen lymph nodes during a cold – but if you notice one that doesn’t go away or feels unusual, it’s important to get it examined.

Difficulty swallowing is another red flag, especially if food feels like it’s getting stuck in your throat – this is known as dysphagia and while it doesn’t always point to cancer, it becomes concerning if it gets worse over time.

Bloating

Similarly, feeling unusually full after eating very little can also be a sign that something isn’t right and should be checked by a professional.

Changes in bodily functions

Finally, doctors emphasise the importance of paying attention to changes in your body’s normal functions. Occasional constipation or diarrhoea isn’t unusual, but sudden and persistent changes, especially when paired with difficulty passing urine or stool, passing air in urine, or feeling like you’re not completely emptying your bowels, can all be reasons to seek medical advice.

Experts stress that these symptoms don’t always mean cancer, but ignoring them can be risky.

Early diagnosis makes a huge difference when it comes to treatment, so taking these signs seriously could be life-saving.

A mom-of-two got the shock of her life when her doctors expressed concerns about the symptoms she had that she’d put down to a sinus infection.

Earlier this year, Jessica Gilbert was getting ready to take her kids on vacation to Disney World, Florida. However, in the run-up to their trip, which was a Christmas present for her son and daughter, Jessica started to feel unwell.

“I woke up with a fever, and I thought it was a sinus infection because I had a stuffy head all week,” she said.

Jessica continued to tell ABC News: “I decided to go to my [primary care] doctor to get COVID, flu, [and] RSV tests, and they all came back negative.”

After a couple of days, she started to feel a bit better and informed her doctor that she still wanted to go to Florida as planned. But, much to Jessica’s surprise, her doctor urged her to go to the emergency room for further tests instead.

It was at the ER that a doctor told her that they suspected that she might have ovarian cancer.

“The whole world just stood still,” Jessica said. “I was just totally shocked. [I had] no family history. I didn’t know any of the signs for ovarian cancer. I just didn’t know anything about it at all.”

“I didn’t really know the symptoms for ovarian cancer. And since I don’t have family history, I just really didn’t think anything of it,” the mom-of-two also told WLTL.

Jessica went on to be diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.

What is ovarian cancer?

This type of cancer refers to cancer that develops in the tissues of the ovaries, the reproductive organs responsible for multiple functions, including producing eggs and hormones, says ABC News.

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

As per the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of ovarian cancer include: pelvic and abdominal pain, changes in your eating habits, vaginal discharge or abnormal bleeding, bowel changes, bloating, and peeing more often than usual.

How common is it?

Approximately 1.1 percent of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer at some point during their lifetime, states the National Cancer Institute.

As of 2022, around 243,572 women were living with ovarian cancer in the US.

How is ovarian cancer treated?

In Jessica’s case, she underwent multiple cycles of chemotherapy and surgery. She is currently on targeted maintenance therapy with medications.

Patients with ovarian cancer may also have hormone therapy and radiation therapy.

Jessica’s brother has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for her treatment, which you can donate to here.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.

Experts have revealed the signs of skin marks on your skin that could be an underlying deadly condition.

After Teddi Mellencamp, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was diagnosed with ‘multiple’ brain tumors, it brought attention to a specific condition which can cause horrible consequences if left unchecked.

Mellencamp revealed that she has several malignant masses in her brain after experiencing weeks of ‘debilitating’ headaches, with doctors believing that they have been growing for the last six months.

With scars all over her body from 16 previous surgeries, the 43-year-old is believed to have had a different type of cancer spread to her brain and create the tumors.

It was in 2022 that she was diagnosed with stage two melanoma, that can be found in 100,000 people across the US each year.

Melanoma is a skin cancer, which according to the Mayo Clinic, ‘starts in the melanocytes’.

The website states: “Melanocytes are cells that make the pigment that gives skin its color. The pigment is called melanin.

“Melanoma typically starts on skin that’s often exposed to the sun. This includes the skin on the arms, back, face and legs. Melanoma also can form in the eyes. Rarely, it can happen inside the body, such as in the nose or throat.”

According to AIM at Melanoma, ‘more than 60% of all Stage IV melanoma patients will develop brain metastases at some point’, which is a scary statistic.

Experts have warned that there are specific ways your skin can look that might actually signal that you have melanoma without realizing it.

Firstly, melanoma blemishes are typically irregularly shaped and brown or black colored with uneven patches.

According to Moffitt Cancer Center, melanoma moles are a different shape, size or color than harmless moles and require checking.

They tend to be unevenly colored and with tan, brown, or black shades that change over time.

Sadly, melanoma is on the rise in the US and kills up to 8,000 people every year.

This disease is deadly as it rapidly spreads throughout the body without detection.

Symptoms of melanoma which has metastasized to the brain can include things such as headaches, seizures, vision problems, paralysis on one side of the body, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, weakness, and fatigue, as per the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Shockingly, if you develop skin cancer, you may also be at an increased risk of developing other cancers that are not related to melanoma.

For example, people with melanoma might be more susceptible to developing cancer in the breast, kidney and thyroid, and others.

Treatment for melanoma which has spread to the brain can include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and targeted therapy.

As per AIM to Melanoma: “Surgery is a standard treatment for melanoma brain metastases. It is potentially curative for patients whose melanoma is otherwise controlled and who have a limited number of brain metastases.”

However, ‘surgery is reserved for patients with fewer than three metastases’ and ‘patients with many tumors, or tumors in critical areas of the brain, are usually not candidates for surgery’.

A doctor has revealed a symptom that could ultimately be a sign of a deadly cancer that’s ‘one of the fastest growing in the world’.

Cancer has been on the rise in younger people for the past few years, and much research is going into uncovering why this worrying trend is happening.

To enable a swift recovery, it’s extremely important symptoms of potential cancers are seen to by a doctor as soon as possible for the best possible outcome.

Head and neck cancers are on the rise, with Cancer Research UK stating that almost 13,000 cases are reported every single year.

As per the Mirror, Oncologist Dr Jiri Kubes, who works at the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, said: “Earlier diagnosis is absolutely crucial. The sooner we can identify head and neck cancer, the better the outcome.

“It is considered one of the fastest growing types of cancer in the world but there is still a worrying lack of awareness around head and neck tumours.”

Persistent blocked ears may be a sign something might not be quite right as Dr Kubes explained: “This is a similar feeling to the one you might get after diving into a swimming pool. Stubborn earache also could be a sign there’s cancer around that area.”

Sore gums and ulcers could also be a cause for concern as the expert added: “Don’t just shrug off an ulcer – get it checked out by your GP as it could be a cancerous lesion. Pain in your teeth and white or red patches in the mouth are also tell-tale symptoms.”

Meanwhile, if you have a sore throat that ‘lasts for more than two weeks, or if you experience any voice changes or hoarseness, this should ring alarm bells’, according to Dr Kubes.

It comes after a fellow doctor warned people never to ignore common cancer symptom that’s often dismissed during hot weather.

Night sweats can become a common occurrence due to the increase in temperature, but Dr Suhail Hussain has warned that if they’re frequently happening then it could be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

He said it may be sign of leukaemia or lymphoma – two cancers that affect blood cells.

While leukaemia is primarily a cancer of the bone marrow, lymphoma affects the lymphatic system.

Like with the ear symptom, such symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got cancer, though it’s always best to seek advice from a medial professional for clarity.