Tragic Warning from 34-Year-Old: 5 Cancer Signs I Missed

A shattering diagnosis can redefine everything. Meet Sarah, a 34-year-old woman whose fight with terminal cancer is a devastating lesson about the need to listen to our bodies. She regrets not acting sooner. Finding cancer at an early stage can help improve a person’s chances of a better outcome, and Sarah’s story reminds us to pay attention to warning signs.

Here are five red flags she ignored at first.

Warning Sign No. 1: Exhaustion — More Than Just Being Tired

Fatigue can seem like another day at the office. But chronic fatigue is a whole other animal. It’s not just a little tired from a long week. As many as 80 percent of cancer patients suffer debilitating fatigue at some point, according to research.

Sarah had been unusually tired, even requiring additional sleep. She shrugged it off as stress from her full life.

Expert Tip: If fatigue lasts for weeks and isn’t alleviated by rest, think about seeing a health care provider. It is important to differentiate between normal exhaustion and a medical problem.

Sign number two: Of course, unexplained weight loss, and particularly sudden and significant.

While unexplained weight loss may feel like a good change, it isn’t. But if it’s significant and sudden, it can indicate a major problem. Research has shown that some 40 percent of patients with cancer experience clinically apparent unintentional weight loss.

Sarah rapidly shed a significant amount of weight. At first, she attributed it to diet changes.

Action Steps:

Keep track of your weight.

If you unintentionally lose 5-10% (or more) of your total body weight, seek medical advice.

Warning Sign #3: Pain that Persists — Not Your Average Aches

Pain is a part of life, but chronic pain is a sign that something is wrong. Chronic pain is not occasional discomfort. According to Statista, over half of cancer patients experience pain associated with their disease.

Sarah experienced chronic back pain and frequently tried to control it with over-the-counter drugs. “I just thought that was part of aging.”

What to Do: If you have continued pain that doesn’t get better with routine treatments, don’t be shy about seeing a doctor to investigate further.

Warning Sign#4: Changes to Your Skin — Moles, Lumps and Unusual Marks

Our skin can tell us a lot about our health. Deep drapes such as new moles or lumps could indicate something serious.

Sarah saw strange yellow spots but thought they were benign.

Importance of Self-Exams:

Look for new moles on your skin.

Have any changes checked out by a dermatologist sooner rather than later.

Warning Sign #5: Ongoing Leaps in Bowel or Bladder Habits — A Hidden Honor

Changes in bowel or bladder habits are another red flag. Changes in frequency or consistency may indicate an underlying issue. Such symptoms, research shows, can appear in 30 percent to 40 percent of cancer patients.

Sarah started noticing inconsistencies but was reluctant to raise the alarm, believing these were to be expected.

When to Seek Help:

If changes last longer than the first few weeks, see a health professional.

Sarah’s Story: Take Action Today. Don’t Wait To Get Help

Sarah’s story is an important reminder of the need to listen to our bodies. The five warning signs we discussed — persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, skin changes, and changes in bowel or bladder habits — can all be vital signs that something much more serious might be at play.

Don’t ignore these symptoms. Your health should come first, consult a doctor immediately if you suffer any of these signs. Lives can be changed through awareness and early intervention.

Resources, like the American Cancer Society, can be invaluable for additional information on cancer detection and prevention. Your health matters—act now.