The hands and feet may exhibit warning signs of an underlying medical illness, such as cancer, prior to the disease’s onset.
It’s important to recognize these symptoms as early warning signs even though they don’t always mean cancer.
Here are four common signs to watch out for:
Skin Color Changes: Unidentified darkening, redness, or bluish hue in your hands and feet could be a sign of cancer or other underlying medical conditions.
Skin alterations may be associated with conditions such as melanoma or other cancers that affect the skin or blood circulation.
Swelling
Unknown swelling in the hands or feet, especially if it lasts or worsens over time, could be a sign of an underlying issue like cancer.
This may be related to the spread of cancer or a side effect of cancer treatment. Swelling may also be a sign of a blood clot or lymphedema, which is fluid retention that can occur in some cancers.
Numbness or Pain: Unexpected tingling, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet could be a sign of nerve damage from cancer or its treatment.
This is particularly important in cases where the disease has spread to the nerves, such as in bone, lung, or prostate cancer.
Changes in Nails: On rare occasions, abnormalities in the nails, such as thickness, discolouration, or the appearance of white or purple streaks, may be linked to cancer.
For example, melanoma, a type of skin cancer, may be indicated by black striations under the nails. Additionally, cancer treatments like chemotherapy can cause nails to become brittle, discolored, or develop vertical ridges.
It is important to remember that these symptoms could be associated with other conditions.
If you notice any of these symptoms or any odd changes in your hands or feet, it’s imperative that you see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Early detection and intervention can significantly improve the outcomes of cancer treatment.
