[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/02\/cancer-talks-listen-body\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/02\/cancer-talks-listen-body\/","headline":"Cancer Talks: Listen to Your Body","name":"Cancer Talks: Listen to Your Body","description":"Did you know your whole body \u2014 not just your mouth \u2014 can be an excellent communicator? Recognizing changes in your body can help in the early detection and treatment of cancer and other serious medical problems. There are numerous warning symptoms for\u00a0cancer, many of which also can point to other serious medical conditions. According […]","datePublished":"2014-02-26","dateModified":"2021-06-18","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC Hillman Cancer Center","url":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-hillman-cancer-center\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/CancerTalksListentoYourBody.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/CancerTalksListentoYourBody.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/02\/cancer-talks-listen-body\/","about":["Cancer Care"],"wordCount":283,"keywords":["cancer","cancer symptoms","chills","Division of Hematology\/Oncology","Edward Chu MD","fatigue","fever","University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute"],"articleBody":"Did you know your whole body \u2014 not just your mouth \u2014 can be an excellent communicator? Recognizing changes in your body can help in the early detection and treatment of cancer and other serious medical problems.There are numerous warning symptoms for\u00a0cancer, many of which also can point to other serious medical conditions. According to Edward Chu, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology\/Oncology at UPMC and deputy director of the\u00a0University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, you should call your primary care physician (PCP) if you have any unusual or persistent symptoms that last longer than two to three weeks.Symptoms to WatchCommon cancer warnings that most know about include:A sore that does not healA thickening or lump in the breast, or lumps in other parts of the bodyBlood in the stool or urineChanges in the size or color of a mole\u00a0on the skinIt is also important to be aware of more generalized body changes (also known as constitutional symptoms) that can compromise your overall well-being. They can include:Increasing tiredness (fatigue)Unexplained weight loss (typically 10 pounds or more) or loss of appetiteChanges in how food tastes or smellsFever and chillsNight sweatsShortness of breath or difficulty breathingUnexplained headaches that persistHowever, do not assume you have cancer just because of unusual symptoms. \u201cThese symptoms don\u2019t necessarily mean you have cancer,\u201d said Dr. Chu. \u201cBut if they worsen or linger for a prolonged period, it\u2019s important for your doctor to rule out \u2014 or treat \u2014 possible problems.\u201dBy getting to know what\u2019s typical for your own body, you\u2019ll be better able to recognize unfamiliar changes when they occur."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Cancer Talks: Listen to Your Body","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/02\/cancer-talks-listen-body\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]