Cancer is often a sudden and unwelcome shock, disrupting everyday life with unexpected symptoms and lengthy treatment. While many are aware of typical warning signs, some unusual symptoms can go unnoticed. Early recognition of these subtle signs can make a huge difference in treatment outcomes.
According to the National Cancer Institute, over 2 million new cancer cases are expected in the US in 2025. Dr Mikkael A. Sekeres, chief of haematology and professor of medicine at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, revealed four rare cancer symptoms in a discussion with The Washington Post.
1. Chest or Abdominal Pain After Alcohol
Many people occasionally experience chest or stomach discomfort after drinking alcohol due to conditions such as oesophagitis or gastritis, which usually respond to antacids. However, persistent pain in a specific area, such as the lymph nodes or lower back, after consuming alcohol can be a warning sign of cancer.
Dr Sekeres described a patient who felt chest pain after every glass of wine. A CT scan revealed a lung mass, later diagnosed as Hodgkin lymphoma. A study in the American Cancer Society Journal found that 5% of people experiencing this symptom were diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
These are called pathologic fractures, occurring when cancer spreads to the bones and weakens them. Around 8% of patients with bone cancer experience these fractures. Primary cancers that frequently metastasise to bone include breast, lung, thyroid, kidney, and prostate cancer.
3. Extremely High Calcium Levels
High calcium in the blood, or hypercalcaemia, can occur due to parathyroid issues, medications, or other conditions. However, research in the British Journal of Cancer showed that over 50,000 people with elevated calcium had more than double the risk of being diagnosed with cancer the following year.
Symptoms include bone and kidney pain, constipation, nausea, mood changes, and cognitive impairment. Cancers commonly associated with high calcium include lung, breast, kidney, bladder, ovarian, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Key symptoms include:
Early Detection Saves Lives
While these four symptoms are uncommon, recognising them early is crucial. Persistent or unusual signs such as chest pain after alcohol, unexplained fractures, high calcium levels, or breast changes should prompt a visit to a medical professional immediately. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
According to the National Cancer Institute, over 2 million new cancer cases are expected in the US in 2025. Dr Mikkael A. Sekeres, chief of haematology and professor of medicine at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, revealed four rare cancer symptoms in a discussion with The Washington Post.
1. Chest or Abdominal Pain After Alcohol
Many people occasionally experience chest or stomach discomfort after drinking alcohol due to conditions such as oesophagitis or gastritis, which usually respond to antacids. However, persistent pain in a specific area, such as the lymph nodes or lower back, after consuming alcohol can be a warning sign of cancer.Dr Sekeres described a patient who felt chest pain after every glass of wine. A CT scan revealed a lung mass, later diagnosed as Hodgkin lymphoma. A study in the American Cancer Society Journal found that 5% of people experiencing this symptom were diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
2. Broken Bones From Minimal Trauma
Bones naturally weaken with age, making fractures more common. However, a fracture following minor trauma, particularly in young adults, is unusual and may indicate cancer.These are called pathologic fractures, occurring when cancer spreads to the bones and weakens them. Around 8% of patients with bone cancer experience these fractures. Primary cancers that frequently metastasise to bone include breast, lung, thyroid, kidney, and prostate cancer.
3. Extremely High Calcium Levels
High calcium in the blood, or hypercalcaemia, can occur due to parathyroid issues, medications, or other conditions. However, research in the British Journal of Cancer showed that over 50,000 people with elevated calcium had more than double the risk of being diagnosed with cancer the following year.Symptoms include bone and kidney pain, constipation, nausea, mood changes, and cognitive impairment. Cancers commonly associated with high calcium include lung, breast, kidney, bladder, ovarian, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
4. Painful, Swollen Breasts or Nipple Discharge
Breast pain or discharge is usually benign, often caused by mastitis, particularly in breastfeeding individuals. But in non-breastfeeding people, these could signal inflammatory breast cancer, which accounts for 2–4% of cases in the US.Key symptoms include:
- Skin resembling an orange peel
- Persistent nipple discharge in one breast
Early Detection Saves Lives
While these four symptoms are uncommon, recognising them early is crucial. Persistent or unusual signs such as chest pain after alcohol, unexplained fractures, high calcium levels, or breast changes should prompt a visit to a medical professional immediately. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
