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Doctor reveals three symptoms to watch out for following Dolly Parton's death after 'brief' battle with cancer
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A doctor has shared the early warning signs of cancer that people should get checked out, in the wake of Dolly Parton's death.
Last week, the world was left in shock after the news of the Country icon's death at the age of 80.
Her family confirmed that Parton had faced a short battle with cancer, but did not specify which type.
Now, an oncologist has revealed three key signs people should not ignore, which could be a sign of cancer.
According to Dr. Jiri Kubes, radiation oncologist and medical director at Proton Therapy Center, per the Liverpool Echo, there are three subtle symptoms people often dismiss, that could help with an earlier diagnosis.
Dr. Kubes revealed that one common misconception about cancer is that it comes with intense pain or obvious symptoms from the start - something that is rarely true.
He explained: "One symptom on its own rarely points to cancer, and the vast majority of people experiencing these symptoms will not have cancer.
"The important thing is persistence. If something continues for several weeks, keeps returning, or simply doesn't feel right for you, it's always worth getting checked rather than assuming it will eventually go away."
What are the symptoms you should get checked out?
Persistent fatigue
Feeling tired is nothing out of the ordinary, with many people experiencing fatigue if they've had a busy week or a few nights of disturbed sleep.
The majority of the time, fatigue isn't the sign of anything serious, simply a need to slow down and recover.
However, if that tiredness fails to respond to rest and persists for longer periods of time, even affecting your ability to work or perform everyday tasks, and is more intense than normal tiredness, that would be a sign to speak with your doctor.
Dr. Kubes explained: "Cancer-related fatigue is often described as an overwhelming exhaustion that doesn't improve with sleep.
"There are many possible explanations, including anemia, thyroid disorders, infections, and poor sleep, but persistent fatigue should always be discussed with your GP [general practitioner] if it isn't improving."
A lingering cough
Everyone gets a cough from time to time, especially during cold and flu season, and most aren't anything to be too worried about, resolving by themselves within a couple of weeks at the most.
However, if you notice you have a cough that lingers on for many weeks, or gets worse over time, that should not be ignored - especially if you also experience shortness of breath, discomfort in the chest, or blood in your sputum.
Dr. Kubes highlighted: "A persistent cough doesn't automatically mean cancer. 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."
Weight loss without trying
If your weight loss has a clear reason - such as dieting, increasing exercise, or even a recent sickness - then there's likely nothing to be too worried about.
However, dropping weight without an apparent cause is something that you should always get checked out, to ensure there's no sinister reason behind the reduction on the scales.
Dr. Kubes added: "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."
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He explained: "One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting for symptoms to become severe before seeking help.
"Cancer doesn't always announce itself dramatically, and many of the early warning signs are vague and easily explained by more common conditions."
He highlighted that people shouldn't become "anxious about every cough or ache", but rather to pay attention to what is normal for your own body, and any persistent or returning symptoms, or anything that just doesn't feel right for you.
It is important to note that in most cases, unusual symptoms are unlikely to be cancer, but ruling it out early can make a crucial difference in how successful treatment can be if it does turn out to be cancer.