"Could it be these symptoms?" Are you overlooking that sense of discomfort? An oncologist discusses "Four Surprisingly Unexpected Signs."

The discussion that started with "Are these symptoms related to cancer?"

"Whenever I drink wine, the same spot always hurts. When I went to the hospital, it turned out to be Hodgkin's lymphoma."

An episode of a patient introduced by a famous American cancer specialist, Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, has become a topic of discussion online. In his column for the Washington Post, he summarized and introduced four "unexpected signs of cancer" that he observes daily as a doctor.The Washington Post

As soon as the article was published, voices like these appeared on social media.

"I thought #cancer signs were just coughs or lumps..."
"It's a bit scary that the same spot hurts every time I drink alcohol."
"It might be important to have the courage not to dismiss your discomfort as 'just your imagination.'"

Of course, just because these symptoms are mentioned here, it doesn't mean they should immediately be linked to cancer. In most cases, they are due to other, more common causes.The Washington Post

Still, the author's message is "It's better to consult and be reassured than to regret leaving it unchecked."

So, what are those "four unexpected signs"?

1. A sharp pain in the same spot every time you drink alcohol

The first sign is "a specific spot consistently hurts after drinking alcohol."
In the aforementioned case, the patient experienced deep chest pain every time they drank wine, and upon investigation, a large lymphoma lump was found.The Washington Post

What's the mechanism?

Generally, chest or stomach pain after drinking is caused by alcohol irritating the mucous membranes, leading to conditions like esophagitis or gastritis. Most cases improve with over-the-counter medication or lifestyle changes.The Washington Post

However, in some cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma, the phenomenon of "lymph nodes hurting when drinking alcohol" has been known for a long time. One study reported that at least about 5% of diagnosed patients exhibited this symptom.The Washington Post

It is believed that alcohol causes blood vessels to suddenly expand or inflammatory substances to be released, making lymph nodes with tumors more prone to pain.

Reactions on social media

"Is there anyone whose same lymph node always hurts after drinking?"
"The same spot on my back hurts every time I drink... I should probably get it checked."

The doctor emphasizes that "not all pain after drinking needs to be linked to cancer." However,if the same spot hurts almost every time and the condition persists, it is worth consulting a specialist at least once.

2. If you fracture a bone from a minor fall...

The second case is "a bone breaks from a minor impact."
It is well known that bone density decreases with age, leading to more fractures due to osteoporosis. In the U.S., there are about 2 million osteoporosis-related fractures annually.The Washington Post

However, if a relatively young person fractures a bone from a light bump or a slight twist, there is a small possibility that a tumor is present in the bone, or cancer has metastasized from another organ. Medically, this is called a "pathologic fracture."The Washington Post

What types of cancer weaken bones?

Cases where cancer involves bones account for about 5% of all cancers. Among them, those who experience pathologic fractures are only a few percent, but statistically, "fractures caused by metastasis from other organs to the bone" are overwhelmingly more common than "primary bone tumors."The Washington Post

Cancers that commonly metastasize to bones include breast cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer. Detailed examinations can be conducted using X-rays, CT, MRI, or bone scans.The Washington Post

Reactions on social media

"When I was a student, a friend fractured their femur just by tripping over a step. Later, I heard they were diagnosed with cancer and it sent chills down my spine."
"I fractured a bone from 'just a slight twist'... I should remember it's not just osteoporosis."

Of course, most fractures are simply due to bone weakness or trauma and are unrelated to cancer. However,if fractures occur repeatedly from very light force, or if X-rays show bones appearing "moth-eaten,"doctors will consider the possibility of cancer and proceed with further tests.

3. If a blood test shows high calcium levels

The third case is"when a blood test indicates high calcium levels."

Calcium abnormalities can occur due to various causes such as thyroid or parathyroid diseases, excessive vitamin D intake, or side effects of certain medications.The Washington Post

A large-scale study followed over 50,000 primary care patients and reported that those with high calcium levels had more than twice the risk of being diagnosed with cancer within a year compared to those with normal levels (though the absolute number of those who actually developed cancer was not large).The Washington Post

Symptoms of high calcium levels

In hypercalcemia associated with cancer, the following symptoms may occur:

• Severe pain in the lower back due to kidney stones

• Bone pain or muscle weakness

• Nausea or constipation

• Mood changes, confusion, or lack of clarityThe Washington Post

Cancers known to cause this condition include some lung cancers, breast cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, malignant lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Tumors themselves may break down bones to release calcium or secrete hormone-like substances that increase calcium levels.The Washington Post

Reactions on social media

"I was told 'high calcium' during a health check-up but ignored it... I should go for a re-examination."
"I blamed my fatigue and irritability on 'personality issues,' but maybe a blood test could reveal something."

Hypercalcemia frequently occurs for reasons other than cancer. However,if tests show clearly high calcium levels and poor health persists, it's important to identify the cause.

4. Swelling, redness, or discharge from the breast when not breastfeeding

The last sign is a symptom that many people might think is "mastitis."

• Breast pain

• Redness, swelling, and warmth

• Severe itching

• Discharge from the nipple, etc.

If breastfeeding, it is often mastitis due to bacterial infection, which improves with antibiotics or cooling treatments.The Washington Post

However,if these symptoms persist without breastfeeding,there is a small possibility of "inflammatory breast cancer." Inflammatory breast cancer is a relatively rare type of breast cancer, accounting for 2-4% of all breast cancers in the U.S., but it is known for its rapid progression.The Washington Post

A characteristic feature isskin that appears dimpled like an orange peel ("peau d'orange").If it does not improve with cooling, over-the-counter pain relievers, or antibiotics, imaging tests or biopsies may be necessary.The Washington Post

Regarding nipple discharge, most cases are due to hormonal imbalances or benign breast conditions, with reports indicating that only 2-15% of those who underwent surgery were found to have breast cancer.The Washington Post

However, discharge that is "only on one side," "from the same spot," and "repeatedly persists" should be considered for detailed examination.The Washington Post

Reactions on social media

"I had redness and swelling in my breast without breastfeeding and dismissed it as 'stress.' Reading this article gave me chills."
"I'll remember the expression 'skin like an orange peel.' It's important for not just myself but also for my family."

Finding the right balance between "worrying too much" and "ignoring too much"

After reading this, some people might feel anxious, wondering, "Could that pain have been...?"

Dr. Sekeres emphasizes at the end of the article, "When