Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. It can develop in almost any tissue or organ and is usually triggered by genetic mutations, environmental factors, or lifestyle choices such as smoking and diet. There are more than 200 types of cancer that can affect the human body.

Symptoms depend on the type of cancer. While some cancers grow rapidly, other cancers lie dormant for years, making early detection important. There are some cancers that are difficult to treat and hence if they are detected in the early stages, the chances of survival can increase.

Here, take a look at the hidden symptoms of three deadly cancers; Bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer. Having these symptoms does not mean that you have cancer, however, it is important that you get checked.

bowel cancer

According to a report in The Mirror, it is a type of cancer found anywhere in the large intestine, including the colon and rectum. The large intestine helps absorb water from your food and expel food waste from your body.

Symptoms of bowel cancer are:

• bleeding from your lower back and/or blood in your stool
• persistent and unexplained changes in bowel habit
• unexplained weight loss
• extreme fatigue for no apparent reason
• Pain or lump in your stomach.

According to Bowel Cancer UK, “It is important to know that most people with these symptoms do not have bowel cancer. Other health problems can also cause similar symptoms. But if you have any of these, or if things don’t seem right, visit your doctor. You may need to visit your doctor more than once if your symptoms do not get better.

“Knowing the symptoms and acting on them as early as possible can mean that if you have bowel cancer, it can be diagnosed earlier while it is much easier to treat. People whose cancer is diagnosed at an early stage have a much higher chance of successful treatment than people whose cancer is more extensive.

“Don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore any symptoms. “Doctors are used to seeing a lot of people suffering from gut problems.”

pancreatic cancer

The pancreas is an organ in the upper part of your stomach that helps digest your food and makes hormones like insulin. Pancreatic cancer is often known as a silent disease.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:

• The whites of your eyes or your skin become yellow (jaundice) and you may also have itchy skin, dark urine and pale stools more than usual
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying
• feeling tired or lacking energy
• High temperature, or feeling hot or shivering.

Other symptoms may affect your digestion, such as:

• feeling or being sick
• diarrhea or constipation, or other changes in your stool
• Pain in your stomach and upper back, which may be worse when eating or lying down and better when bending forward
• Symptoms of indigestion such as feeling bloated.

ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer most often affects women over the age of 50 but it can affect anyone who has ovaries. The disease is often nicknamed the “silent killer” because warning signs usually develop when the disease has reached an advanced stage, which is largely incurable.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• feeling swollen or bloated in the stomach
• pain or tenderness in your abdomen or the area between your hips (pelvis)
• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
• An urgent need to urinate or a frequent need to urinate.

Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.