Oncologist Rasul Akhmaev has warned that seemingly harmless symptoms such as frequent colds and fatigue can indicate early stages of cancer. Speaking to Russian news outlet Lenta.ru, the specialist urged people not to ignore subtle bodily changes or attempt to treat them with vitamins.
Akhmaev, a chemotherapist at the private medical network SM-Clinic, explained that individuals often feel completely healthy during the initial phases of oncological diseases while a tumor is already actively developing inside the body.
Frequent colds and contracting viruses easily indicate a weakened immune system, according to Akhmaev. While patients often blame fatigue, sleep deprivation, harsh weather or environmental factors, falling ill repeatedly rather than feeling healthy is a clear signal to seek a medical evaluation.
SM-Clinic operates a wide network of multidisciplinary medical centers across Russia, providing diagnostic evaluations, surgical procedures and specialized oncological care. In modern oncology, early diagnostic screening is considered vital because localized malignant tumors are significantly easier to treat before cancer cells spread to surrounding tissues or distant organs through the bloodstream.
Immune system and fatigue symptoms
Persistent fatigue is among the most common early signs of cancer, yet Akhmaev noted that it is frequently overlooked by both patients and primary care physicians. This tiredness is often accompanied by a loss of appetite, which occurs as a growing tumor releases metabolic toxins directly into the bloodstream.
Rapid and unexplained weight loss of 10 to 15 kilograms within just two months represents another critical warning sign. The oncologist pointed to pancreatic cancer as a prime example, where a tumor blocking pancreatic ducts prevents the body from receiving essential digestive enzymes, causing food to pass through without being absorbed.
The pancreas is an essential organ located behind the stomach that plays a central role in human digestion and metabolic regulation. It produces digestive enzymes that break down fats and proteins, as well as hormones such as insulin. When pancreatic ducts are obstructed by abnormal growths, nutrient absorption fails, leading to rapid weight loss regardless of caloric intake.
Digestive issues and specific warning signs
Gastrointestinal discomfort and digestive disruptions are additional non-obvious indicators of malignant growth. Akhmaev highlighted that early-stage cancer frequently mimics routine illnesses of the specific digestive organs in which the tumor develops, advising anyone experiencing unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms for two to three weeks to consult a specialist.
Some oncological conditions display highly specific warning signs, according to the doctor. For example, lymphoma often triggers excessive sweating during the night, causing patients to wake up drenched in perspiration and requiring them to change shirts multiple times before morning.
Lymphoma refers to a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system, an integral part of the body's immune network responsible for fighting infections. The lymphatic system includes lymph nodes, the spleen and lymphatic vessels, and malignant changes within these tissues can disrupt body temperature regulation and cause systemic symptoms such as night sweats and unexplained fevers.
Tumor progression and preventive screening
As cancer advances to approximately stage II, tumors begin releasing waste products of their activity into the general circulation. Akhmaev noted that because the immune system initially fails to recognize these circulating toxins as an immediate threat, the body does not actively fight them, leaving growing weakness and apathy as the primary symptoms.
In medical practice, cancer staging describes the size of a primary tumor and how far it has developed within the body. Stage I generally designates a small, localized cancer confined to its original site, whereas stage II indicates a larger tumor that may have grown deeper into nearby tissues but has not yet spread to distant parts of the body.
To guard against advanced disease, Akhmaev advised people to carefully monitor their own physical state and watch for health changes in their relatives. He emphasized that taking extra precautions is far better than missing a disease in its early stages when treatment remains highly effective.
The oncologist recommended undergoing regular comprehensive body check-ups at medical clinics as the most reliable way to catch hidden health issues early. Akhmaev previously warned that alcohol consumption raises the risk of developing liver cancer and noted that up to 100,000 cases of breast cancer worldwide are linked to alcohol consumption.
