Cancer symptoms: Top 14 early signs to look out for
There are more than 200 forms of cancer that can affect various parts of the body.
Therefore, the type of symptoms you experience will depend on the location of the disease in the body, as well as factors such as your age, genetics and your overall health.
Certain symptoms are also considered more general signs of cancer that are associated with multiple types of cancer.
These include symptoms such as night sweats, unexpected weight loss and fatigue.
One symptom that is less common is hearing loss, according to an expert.
Peter Byrom, audiologist and founder of Peter Byrom Audiology, warned that hearing loss could signal something more sinister than just wax build-up or an infection.
He told Express.co.uk: "Hearing loss can sometimes be a sign of cancer.
“Certain cancerous tumours in the inner ear or in the brain can cause hearing changes in one or both ears because they press on nerves.
“Examples of this are acoustic neuromas [a type of non-cancerous brain tumour] or brain tumours like meningiomas.
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“Cancer that has metastasised [spread] from other parts of the body such as breast or lung cancer can spread to the inner ear area and lead to hearing changes.
“Childhood cancers like neuroblastoma brain tumours can sometimes manifest with hearing loss as an early symptom.”
Cancer Research UK also lists hearing loss as a potential symptom of ear cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer (the upper part of the throat) and non-cancerous brain tumours.
And a case study, published in the Journal of Medical Cases in 2014, reported how “sudden” hearing loss in both ears can affect women with breast cancer.
Cancer treatment and hearing loss
It is not just the disease itself that can prompt hearing loss. Treatments such as chemotherapy are known to trigger auditory issues.
Peter continued: “Other cancer-related hearing problems can result from auditory nerve damage from treatments like chemotherapy.
“This can trigger hearing problems, usually loss of higher frequency hearing and is often temporary but can sometimes be permanent.”
Harvard Medical School explains: “Hearing loss as a potential side effect of chemotherapy is more likely with chemotherapies that fall into the category of platinum-based drugs, such as cisplatin or carboplatin.
“The way chemotherapy causes hearing loss is complex, but ultimately it causes permanent damage to the inner ear cells responsible for hearing.
“Importantly, hearing loss often affects high-pitched hearing, which has little impact on your daily hearing needs.”
However, Peter advises that for the most part hearing problems will not be caused by cancer.
“It's important to note hearing changes are much more commonly caused by ear wax, infections, age-related hearing loss or sustained exposure to loud noises,” he said.
“But if you experience sudden, unexplained or asymmetric hearing loss you should contact your doctor for advice."
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