Im an oncologist 5 cancer symptoms people dismiss as normal aging or stress

Getting older comes with its share of aches, pains — but not every unwelcome change should be blamed on age.In fact, they can sometimes be symptoms of something more serious, including cancer.“Older adults take longer to recognize that a symptom might be serious, in part because they attribute changes to aging rather than disease,” Dr.

Jad Chahoud, an oncologist and chief scientific and innovation officer with Orlando Health Cancer Institute, told the Post.“I would estimate that a significant proportion of patients can look back and identify symptoms that were present for weeks or months before diagnosis but were attributed to aging, stress, work, a prior injury, menopause or other common conditions.”So when should you worry?“I tell patients not to panic over every symptom, but don’t ignore persistent changes either,” Chahoud said.“If something is new, unexplained and lasting more than a few weeks, it’s worth discussing with your doctor.”Chahoud said fear is one of the biggest reasons people put off seeking medical care — whether it’s fear of embarrassment, fear of what a doctor might discover or concern that they’re wasting a physician’s time.But waiting can come at a cost.

Early detection is key because many cancers are far more treatable when caught early, and getting checked out sooner can save lives.“The goal isn’t to make people anxious,” he expained.“It’s to make them aware that ‘getting older’ should not automatically be used to explain away changes in your health.” Knowing which symptoms are commonly dismissed can help people recognize when it’s time to call a doctor.

Chahoud shared four cancer symptoms people often brush aside and why they deserve your attention.Feeling exhausted, weak or foggy is easy to blame on a busy schedule, stress or simply aging.But persistent, unexplained fatigue can sometimes be associated with cancers, including colon cancer and kidney cancer, as well as blood cancers, like leu...