Oncologist Warns That Five Common Symptoms Can Mask Cancer

Dr. Jad Shakhud, an oncologist and head of scientific innovation at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, says many adults dismiss early warning signs as normal aging. In a guest column for the New York Post, he argues that people often blame new symptoms on age, stress, work, past injuries, menopause or other common conditions, then wait weeks or months before seeking care. He says the goal is not to panic, but also not to explain every health change with, “I’m just getting older.”

Shakhud highlights five symptoms people commonly overlook. Persistent fatigue that does not match activity level, worsens over time, and does not improve with rest can be linked to cancers such as colon cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. Unexplained weight loss is another red flag, especially if a person loses at least 5% of body weight in 6 to 12 months without a clear reason; this can be associated with pancreatic, lung, stomach and colon cancers.

He also points to lasting changes in bowel habits, including changes in frequency, stool size, shape or consistency, and especially pencil-thin stool, which may indicate a tumor narrowing the bowel. Urinary changes, such as frequent nighttime urination, increased urination or blood in the urine, can sometimes signal bladder, kidney or prostate cancer, and any blood in urine requires medical evaluation, even if it happens only once. Ongoing pain in the back, joints or muscles, particularly if new, persistent or progressively worse, can sometimes be tied to tumors in the bones, kidneys, pancreas or other organs.

Shakhud says fear is one reason people avoid testing, whether they worry about bad news, unpleasant procedures or being a burden on the health system. He stresses that early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes in most cancers and can save lives. A single symptom rarely proves cancer, he says, but persistent symptoms, especially when combined with weight loss, extreme fatigue, bleeding or declining function, should not be ignored. His message is that aging alone should not cause a rapid drop in overall well-being or daily function, and no symptom is too small to mention to a doctor.