Most people know of someone in their family who has been diagnosed with cancer. The earlier doctors find cancer, the sooner treatment can start. So it’s helpful to know the most common types of
cancer and their warning signs. There are more than 100 types of cancer, and some are more common than others, depending on things like your age, gender, and racial or ethnic group. (For example, prostate
cancer only affects men, and breast cancer is far more likely in women.) Keep in mind that many cancers don’t have symptoms in their early stages. And if you do have symptoms, they could also show up with other conditions, so you’ll need tests to find out the cause. Non-melanoma
skin cancer, which includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, is the most common form of cancer. It affects more
than a million Americans each year. Exactly how many new cases there are each year isn’t clear because doctors can often treat it in their office and don’t have to report cases to cancer registries. Signs of basal cell carcinoma include: Basal cell carcinoma is most likely to grow on your head, face, neck, and torso. Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include: Squamous cell carcinoma usually forms on areas of your body that have been repeatedly exposed to sunlight, like your face. Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 276,480 Signs include: These signs don’t always mean you have breast cancer. That’s why it’s important to see your doctor or a breast specialist if you
notice any changes in your breasts. The Most Common Cancers and How to Spot Them
1. Non-melanoma Skin Cancer
2. Breast Cancer
Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 228,820 Signs of lung cancer include: Lung cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms until it’s advanced (also referred to as late-stage cancer). That’s because your lungs have few nerve endings, so tumors can grow there without causing pain. If you have any of the signs above, see your doctor to get tested for
lung cancer and other possible causes, such as asthma. Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 191,930 Signs include: Prostate cancer doesn’t usually cause early warning signs. Experts recommend
that if you’re a man over age 55 and don’t have any symptoms, you should talk to your doctors about whether you should be tested for the disease. If you do have symptoms, see your doctor right away. These symptoms can also be due to other problems like prostatitis (inflammation of the
prostate). Also called colorectal cancers, experts estimate that 147,950 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2020. Signs include: Colorectal cancers don’t always cause symptoms until they’re advanced. But signs of colorectal cancers can also be signs of other problems, like
hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome. See your doctor if you have any of these problems.3. Lung Cancer
4. Prostate Cancer
5.Colon and Rectal Cancers
Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 100,350 Signs
include:6. Melanoma
- A mole or mark on the skin that is asymmetrical, meaning it has uneven edges. The edges may look scalloped or notched.
- A mole or freckle that has a variety of colors (rather than being all one shade of brown or black). Melanoma may be brown, black, white, red, pink, or even blue.
- A mole or mark that is red, white, or blue
- A mole that is larger than the tip of a pencil eraser
- A mole or mark that’s growing quickly or has changed color or shape
- A mole or mark that is bleeding, itching, or crusting
Because melanoma causes visible changes on your skin, experts recommend examining your skin from head to toe once a month to spot any potential signs of skin cancer, and having your doctor check your skin once a year, too.
7. Bladder Cancer
Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 81,400
Signs include:
- Blood in the urine. This is usually the first sign of bladder cancer. Blood may make your urine look pink, red, or orange.
- Changes in urination, like having trouble urinating, having a weak urine stream, pain during urination, or not being able to urinate.
See your doctor if you have any of these problems. Keep in mind that they could have other causes, such as a urinary tract infection, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate.
8. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 77, 240
Signs include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes, which can feel like lumps under the skin
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling weak or tired all the time
- Chills, fever, or night sweats
- A swollen abdomen
- Feeling full after only eating a little
- Shortness of breath or a cough that doesn’t go away
- Pain or pressure in your chest
- A severe infection or regular infections
- Bruising or bleeding regularly
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is one of the more common forms of childhood cancer, but it affects adults, too. It can be in different areas of the body, which means the symptoms of the disease can vary. For example, lymphoma in your abdomen can cause pain and swelling in your gut, while skin lymphoma can lead to itchy lumps on the skin. Some of the signs of lymphoma are also common signs of infections that aren’t linked to cancer.
Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 73,750 Signs include: Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 60,530 Signs include:9. Kidney Cancer
10.Leukemia
- Fever, chills, or night sweats
- Feeling exhausted or weak
- Losing weight without trying
- Swollen lymph nodes
- An enlarged liver (which may feel like a mass under your ribs on your right side)
- An enlarged spleen (which may feel like a mass under your ribs on your left side)
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Bleeding or bruising easily
- Tiny red spots on your skin called petechiae
- Bone pain
Leukemia is a cancer in the body’s blood-forming tissues. These tissues include bone marrow and the lymphatic system, including the lymph nodes. Because leukemia can affect different parts of the body, signs of the disease can vary from person to person.
11.Pancreatic Cancer
Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 57,600
Signs include:
- Losing weight without trying
- Pain in your upper abdomen that may go into to your back
- Depression
- Blood clots
- Developing diabetes
- Feeling exhausted or weak
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (known as jaundice)
Pancreatic cancer doesn’t usually cause signs until the disease is advanced.
12.Thyroid Cancer
Estimated new U.S.cases in 2020: 52,890
Signs include:
- A lump or swelling in the front of your neck
- Pain in the front of your neck that may radiate up to your ears
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Voice changes, like hoarseness, that don’t go away
- A constant cough
13. Liver Cancer
Estimated new U.S. cases in 2020: 42,810
Signs include:
- Losing weight without trying
- Not having an appetite or feeling very full after eating a small amount of food
- Nausea or vomiting
- An enlarged liver. This may feel like a mass under your ribs on your right side.
- An enlarged spleen. This may feel like a mass under your ribs on your left side.
- Pain in your gut or near your right shoulder blade
- A swollen abdomen
- Skin itching that doesn’t have another cause
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (known as jaundice)
- Abnormal bruising or bleeding
- Fever
- Enlarged veins on your belly
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Weakness or confusion
- Constipation
14.Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is a type of uterine cancer that affects the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. Experts predict that 65,620 new cases of uterine cancers, including endometrial cancer, will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2020.
Signs of endometrial cancer include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, like bleeding between periods or after menopause
- Vaginal discharge that isn’t bloody but seems abnormal (such as an unpleasant odor)
- Pain or pressure in your pelvic area
- Losing weight without trying