When to see a doctor
There are many non-cancerous reasons someone may feel unusually exhausted, but if you’re struggling with persistent fatigue, it’s always a good idea to discuss it with your doctor.
A lingering cough is another symptom that can be easy to brush off. Most disappear within a few weeks. But if a cough continues, gets worse or seems different, doctors recommend having it evaluated.
“A persistent cough doesn’t automatically mean cancer,” Dr Kubes said. “In fact, there are many more common causes. However, if it continues beyond a few weeks or behaves differently from a typical cough, it’s sensible to have it assessed.”
Unexpected weight loss can also be worth investigating. If you haven’t changed your diet or started exercising more, it could be a sign that something else is going on.
“If you’re losing weight despite eating normally and haven’t intentionally changed your lifestyle, it’s important to understand why. Often there will be another explanation, but it’s not something that should simply be overlooked.”