Cancer starts when cells in the body become abnormal, where they grow out of control and sometimes, forms a mass called a tumour.
According to BC Cancer the disease makes it “hard for your body to work properly.” There are five common types of cancer listed on the website WebMD: breast, non-melanoma skin, lung, prostate and colon/rectal (called colorectal according to BC Cancer).
Breast Cancer: Breast cancer’s signs and symptoms is a mass, lump, or thickening of any change in the breast that stays over time, according to BC Cancer. Other symptoms can include the breast’s nipple sinking into the breast, any change in the shape of the breast, discharge of water or blood from the nipple, redness, scaling or inflammation of the nipple, red breasts, and swollen or hot breasts.
This type of cancer is far more common in women than men - male breast cancer is rare. Treatments for breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy. It should be noted that male breast cancer is often diagnosed at later stages of the disease, especially if the cancer metastasized (spread).
Non-melanoma skin cancer: Non-melanoma skin cancer’s signs and symptoms are usually a sore on the skin that does not heal, a new skin spot or growth, or a change in the skin spot or growth. There are two types of non-melanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. However, it should be noted that there is a pre-cancerous type called actinic keratosis. Treatment is usually done by surgery, radiation therapy or systemic therapy, according to BC Cancer.
Lung cancer: According to BC Cancer, lung cancer comes in two main types: primary and secondary. Primary lung cancer usually “starts in the lungs” while secondary lung cancer usually starts somewhere else in the body and then spreads to the lungs. Lung cancer usually has no symptoms in the early stage, however advanced lung cancer has several symptoms, including but not limited to: worsening cough, change in how well you exercise, blood in the sputum (mucus that is made in your lungs) even in small amounts, wheezing, fever, difficulty swallowing as well as pain in the chest, according to BC Cancer.
Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer, according to BC Cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canadian men. Symptoms of prostate cancer include trouble starting or stopping urination, a slow urine stream, dribbling of urine, or waking up in the middle of the night with the need to urinate. In advanced stages, those symptoms could also include weight loss, fatigue, back pain and swelling in the legs that does not go away. Treatment is dependent on the risk group of prostate cancer: active surveillance, watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, androgen deprivation therapy, and chemotherapy are options, according to BC Cancer.
Colorectal cancer: Colorectal cancer, according to BC Cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colour or the rectum, which make up the large intestine. The signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer is change in bowel habits, blood in stool (either visible or invisible), pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, anaemia, feelings of being very tired, and weight loss, alongside other symptoms. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy (however, it should be noted it is not helpful in treating colon cancer), and systemic therapy, according to BC Cancer.
If you or someone you love has these symptoms that may correspond to any of the five common cancer types, it is highly recommended to go see a doctor to obtain a diagnosis and learn what additional next steps are appropriate.