When should I see a doctor about possible cancer symptoms?

According to the National Cancer Institute, if you have symptoms that do not get better after a few weeks, you should see your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

An important point is that cancer often does not cause pain. Because of this, the National Cancer Institute advises not to wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor. If you have symptoms that last for a couple of weeks, it is important to see a doctor.

It also helps to remember that cancer can cause many symptoms, but these symptoms are most often caused by illness, injury, benign tumors, or other problems. Seeing a doctor is the way to find out the cause, whatever it turns out to be.

Symptoms that cancer may cause can affect many parts of the body, including breast changes, bladder changes, unexplained bleeding or bruising, bowel changes, a lasting cough, eating problems, severe and lasting fatigue, and unexplained weight change, among others.

A doctor can evaluate any lasting symptom and recommend next steps.