“I Was Chewing Ice”: 35 Cancer Survivors Share The Subtle And Overt Signs That Something Was Wrong

The World Health Organization reports that there were around 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths around the world in 2022. Around a fifth of all people develop cancer in their lifetime. And around 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women die from the disease.

Globally, the most commonly occurring cancer is lung cancer (12.4% of all new cases). The next most common are female breast cancer (11.6%), colorectal cancer (9.6%), prostate cancer (7.3%), and stomach cancer (4.9%).

Cancer deeply affects modern society. In the United States alone, in 2020, there were over 1.6 million reports of new cases of cancer. That year, more than 602,000 Americans lost their lives in the fight against cancer. The CDC states that in that year, 403 new cases were reported for every 100,000 people. 

Across the Atlantic, in the United Kingdom, there are around 375,000 new cases of cancer every year and around 167,000 deaths.

"It is very common for people to put off seeing a doctor if they suspect their symptoms might be cancer," Dame Laura Lee, the Chief Executive at Maggie's, shared with Bored Panda. Maggie’s is a charity that provides free expert care and support in centers across the United Kingdom and online.

“Despite medical advancements meaning people live with cancer longer than ever before, the word itself still strikes fear into people—worrying about the treatment, what it means for their family, worries about money and work, and, of course, their long-term health,” she said.

“However, most cancers are treatable if caught early enough, and many people live well with cancer for a long time.”

We also asked how loved ones should act if they're worried that someone they care about might have undiagnosed cancer.“If you’re concerned a friend or family member has cancer symptoms, it can be really hard to speak to them about seeing a doctor for fear of upsetting them. The best thing to do is to reassure them that even if it is cancer, catching it early gives them the chance of the best possible outcome and that you will be there to support them,” Lee advised.

"You can offer to take them to the appointment and know where to direct them to for support if they need it," she said.

“Our centers can support people even before their cancer diagnosis, so if you are worried, do come in and speak to one of our professional staff. And if it is cancer, we offer free support to the person with cancer, and their family and friends, in our 24 centers across the UK."

There are some positive signs that the spread of AI technology can greatly benefit healthcare systems worldwide. Recently, it was reported that a new AI tool called ‘Mia’ from Kheiron Medical Technologies and Imperial College London can detect up to 13% more breast cancers than people working in these screenings.

“These results have exceeded our expectations. Our study shows that using AI can act as an effective safety net—a tool to prevent subtler signs of cancer falling through the cracks. Seeing firsthand that the use of AI could substantially reduce the rate of missed cancers in breast screening is massive, and a major boost for our mission to transform cancer care with AI technology,” the co-author of the Study, Dr. Ben Glocker, said.

There are many different types of cancer, and so there are many different potential symptoms that you might feel. But broadly speaking, if there are drastic changes in your health, if something feels off, consider speaking to a medical professional ASAP.

The NHS suggests speaking to your doctor if you have had a cough for 3 or more weeks or you’re dealing with breathlessness or chest pain. This may be a sign of pneumonia or might be something more serious. What’s more, you shouldn’t shy away from seeking medical advice if you’ve noticed changes in your bowel habits that have lasted for 3 or more weeks as well. For instance, a major worrying sign is finding blood in your excrement. 

Blood in your urine, vaginal bleeding between periods, and coughing up blood are also worrying signs. As are lumps in your body (in your breast, underarms, groin, or testicles) that seem to be new or growing bigger. If your moles change color or size—see a doctor. If you’ve lost a lot of weight with no clear reason—again, see a doctor.

Meanwhile, other symptoms to look out for include stomach or back pains, heartburn, itchy or yellow skin, and chronic tiredness. Remember that these signs may not be cancer-related. However, you won’t know for sure unless you speak to a doctor. And on the off-chance that it is cancer, the sooner that it is diagnosed, the easier it is to eradicate.