Silent cancers: here’s what you need to know when there are no obvious symptoms


file-20240325-30-iipf08.jpg

Frederic Legrand, Comeo/Shutterstock



The recent revelations about the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis highlight a crucial aspect of cancer detection – the disease’s sometimes silent nature.

Silent cancers are those without noticeable symptoms. They pose a unique challenge in early detection and treatment.



Contrary to common perception, cancer does not always announce its presence through overt symptoms or obvious signs. Many people receive a cancer diagnosis incidentally, when it’s found during routine medical examinations or investigations for unrelated health concerns – as seems to be the case for both the princess and King Charles III.

While even silent cancers can sometimes be aggressive and advance rapidly, they can also remain dormant for years or even decades. Some prostate, breast and thyroid cancers, for example, often evolve slowly without obvious symptoms or spreading beyond the original area.

Research suggests that some of these cancers are overtreated. Sometimes patients are best left alone or treated much more gently, perhaps even without medical intervention, using a “watch and wait” strategy. This approach may be taken with prostate cancer in the elderly, for example.



The importance of early diagnosis​


Whatever the cancer, it’s always important to get an early diagnosis though – and for silent cancers, this is obviously a challenge.

Some cancer symptoms can be vague and easily mistaken for benign ailments. Fatigue, unexplained weight loss and persistent pain are among the nonspecific symptoms that may signal an underlying malignancy. But such symptoms can be misinterpreted or easily dismissed, which contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment.





Fortunately, in many countries including the UK, we have screening tests for diseases like breast or colon cancer, to increase early diagnoses.



Early diagnosis is a key factor for successful cancer treatment. Detecting cancer in its silent phase offers a window of opportunity for early intervention and improved outcomes. The discovery of asymptomatic cancers through diagnostic imaging or screening tests underscores the importance of these proactive healthcare measures.

Identifying cancer at an early stage means the disease is confined to its site of origin, smaller and potentially easier to cure. Diagnosing a smaller cancer often means that if an operation is needed, it may be a less invasive surgery. There may also be a lower chance of needing post-operative preventative chemotherapy, to mop up any residual cells.



Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a good example to show the critical importance of screening. Studies show that patients who participate in CRC screening, such as colonoscopies or tests that look for blood in the stool, are more likely to be diagnosed while asymptomatic and have more positive prognoses after treatment. Those diagnosed with CRC after showing symptoms, such as rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits, tend to have more advanced tumors and poorer outcomes.





Public health initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the importance of both cancer screening and symptom recognition play a pivotal role in reducing diagnostic delays. Empowering people to engage in preventive healthcare measures such as HPV vaccinations and lifestyle changes that decrease risk can facilitate early detection and intervention, potentially altering the trajectory of the disease.

Biomarker discovery​


The latest advances in diagnostic technologies, often known as “biomarker discovery”, hold promise for improving early detection rates and refining treatment strategies for silent cancers. From molecular profiling to liquid biopsy techniques (blood tests to diagnose cancer), innovative approaches are reshaping the landscape of cancer diagnosis, offering new avenues for personalised and precision medicine.



For example, I worked with a team using blood tests to identify cancers in more than 1,000 women recalled after screening for mammography. We looked at the DNA that tumour cells release – so-called cell-free DNA – and also metabolomics (rare markers related to metabolism in the blood). From this information, we found healthy patients, benign disease, pre-cancer and breast cancer. Although there’s increasing awareness and use of this approach in Europe, it isn’t standard in the UK.

Asymptomatic cancers represent a formidable challenge for patient care. But, by encouraging patients to adopt preventive lifestyles and engage with screenings and tests, asymptomatic cancers don’t have to be a hidden threat to health.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by , Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

 
Sponsored
While it is important for people to keep up with their cancer screening it is also important if you notice any changes such as lumps, pain, changes to moles, even a patch of skin that changes colour, to get it checked out. Until someone comes up with a cure for cancer early detection is the best tool we have.
 
You also need to be aware of kidney disease, classes as the silent killer. You can lose 90%of your kidney function before symptoms appear. An article outlining the markers for kidney disease would be informative.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KaraJenna

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×