surgical oncologist highlights that many people in their 20s ignore symptoms that may, in rare cases, indicate pre-cancerous or early cancerous conditions. Persistent mouth problems—such as recurrent blisters or white patches (leukoplakia)—should not be overlooked, especially among tobacco users. Changes in bowel habits like ongoing diarrhea or constipation, unexplained weight loss, or abnormal bleeding may require tests such as a colonoscopy to rule out intestinal lesions or polyps.

Visible skin changes, particularly moles that grow, change color, or start bleeding, can be early signs of melanoma. Similarly, sudden painless lumps appearing anywhere in the body may indicate abnormal tissue growth and must be checked by a doctor. Other warning signs include prolonged cough, non-healing wounds, constant fatigue, difficulty swallowing, persistent pain, and blood in urine or stool.

Women should watch for irregular periods, breast changes, or pelvic pain, while men should be alert to chronic cough or testicular lumps. The expert emphasizes that these symptoms do not always mean cancer, but early evaluation is crucial because treating stage-0 or pre-cancer conditions is far more effective than catching the disease late.