Silent cancer is a term sometimes used to describe cancers that either have no visible early symptoms, or whose early symptoms may be mild and overlap with other less serious conditions, which may lead to people not seeking help quickly enough .
Therefore, silent cancers are often only detected at an advanced stage or by chance, when you are being investigated for another, unrelated condition. These include bowel, cervical, liver, lung, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer. Dr Ahmed El-Modir, consultant oncologist at Spire Little Aston Hospital, shared seven silent cancers and their underlying risk factors.
Bowel cancer
This refers to cancer of the large intestines (large intestine), which includes the colon and rectum. Depending on where it starts, it is also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer.
Dr El-Modir said: “Common symptoms include persistent abdominal pain, bloating, cramping and changes in bowel habits (eg constipation, diarrhea or looser stools). You may also notice blood in your stools, have the urge to empty your bowels even after you have recently passed stools, and lose weight unintentionally.
“Lifestyle factors can also increase your risk, including smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being sedentary, being overweight and having a diet low in fiber and high in processed or red meat.”
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer refers to cancer at the entrance to the uterus (cervix). Almost all cases are caused by the sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV), Dr. El-Modir said.
“Regular cervical screening to test for HPV infection is important. The HPV vaccine reduces the risk of cervical cancer.
“Common symptoms include vaginal bleeding between periods, during or after sex, and after menopause, heavier periods, changes in vaginal discharge, pain during sex, and pain in the lower back, lower abdomen, and pelvic area.
“Cervical cancer is more common in those under the age of 45 and those with a weakened immune system, for example due to HIV or AIDS. Your risk of cervical cancer is also higher if you have given birth before the age of 17, if you have had multiple births, if you have not been vaccinated against HPV, or if you have previously had cancer of the bladder, kidney, vagina or vulva.”
Liver cancer
Liver cancer can affect any part of the liver, which is located above the stomach on the right side of the body.
Dr El-Modir said: “Many symptoms of liver cancer relate to digestion problems such as nausea, vomiting, paler stools, darker urine and feeling full after eating only a small amount of food. You may notice a lump in the upper right side of your abdomen, feel pain in this area, and experience abdominal bloating that is not caused by food.
“Other symptoms include jaundice, where the whites of the eyes turn yellow, pain in the right shoulder, involuntary weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever and feeling sick.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the UK and mainly affects people over the age of 40.
Dr El-Modir said: “Symptoms include a persistent cough, shortness of breath when doing activities that are not usually strenuous, coughing up blood, fatigue, loss of appetite, chest or shoulder pain, infections repeated or persistent chest pains and unintentional weight loss.
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