By K. Cole M.D. Medical News Today

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, after heart disease. However, many people may not be aware of the early signs of cancer, which can be subtle and easy to miss. Detecting and treating cancer early on can improve your chances of survival and recovery. Here are 20 cancer symptoms that are often ignored by both women and men and why you should pay attention to them.

1. Bone pain

Bone pain can be a sign of bone cancer, which occurs when abnormal cells grow in the bones. You may also experience swelling or fractures in the affected area. Bone cancer can affect any bone in the body, but it’s more common in the long bones of the arms and legs.

2. Body rash

A rash on your skin can indicate many things, such as an infection or an allergic reaction. However, it can also be a sign of leukemia, which is a type of blood cancer. Leukemia affects the production of platelets, which are blood cells that help stop bleeding. Without enough platelets, you may develop tiny red, purple, or brown spots on your skin called petechiae.

3. Eye pain

Pain in or around your eyes can be a sign of eye cancer, also known as ocular melanoma. This is a rare form of cancer that develops in the cells that produce pigment in your eyes. You may also notice other symptoms, such as seeing shadows or flashes of light, blurred vision, or vision loss.

4. Frequent headaches

Headaches are common and usually not a cause for concern. However, if you notice any unusual patterns or changes in your headaches, such as frequency, severity, or location, it could be a sign of a brain tumor. A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells that grow in or around the brain. It can cause pressure on the brain and affect its functions.

5. Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus. It’s usually triggered by certain foods or drinks, such as spicy or fatty foods, coffee, or alcohol. However, if you experience frequent or persistent heartburn, it could be a sign of esophageal cancer or stomach cancer. These types of cancer affect the lining of your esophagus or stomach and can cause difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, or weight loss.

6. Painful periods

Many women experience some degree of pain or discomfort during their menstrual cycles. However, if you have unusually heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods, it could be a sign of endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that affects the lining of your uterus and can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or discharge.

7. Nipple changes

One of the most common changes women notice before a breast cancer diagnosis is a nipple that appears flattened, inverted, or turned sideways. This can indicate that there is a tumor behind the nipple that is pulling it inward. Other nipple changes that could be signs of breast cancer include redness, scaling, itching, discharge, or pain.

8. Sore breasts

Breast pain is another common symptom that many women experience at some point in their lives. However, if you have breasts that appear red or purplish in color or feel hot, swollen, or irritated, it could be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer. This is a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer that causes inflammation and infection in the breast tissue.

9. Unusual bleeding

Bleeding from any part of your body that is not normal for you could be a sign of cancer. For example, blood in your urine could indicate bladder cancer or kidney cancer; blood in your stool could indicate colon cancer or rectal cancer; blood in your cough could indicate lung cancer; blood in your vomit could indicate stomach cancer; and blood from your vagina after menopause could indicate cervical cancer or ovarian cancer.

10. Constant fatigue

Fatigue is a feeling of extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest. It can have many causes, such as stress, lack of sleep, anemia, depression, or chronic diseases. However, it can also be a sign of cancer, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss, fever, night sweats, or pain. Cancer can cause fatigue by affecting your immune system, hormones, metabolism, blood cells, or organs.

11. Bloating

Bloating is a feeling of fullness or tightness in your abdomen that can make you feel uncomfortable or gassy. It’s often caused by eating too much or too fast,