How those annoying twitches can be a sign of killer cancer – and 3 other bizarre body signs to watch out for
DIFFERENT cancers can all have different symptoms.
And while most people know that lumps, bumps or changes in moles should be checked, there are other, less-recognised signs to be mindful of – like a twitch.
This common sensation, which is normally felt in the upper eyelid – but can also be felt elsewhere – is usually nothing to worry about.
They are usually a often brought on by too much caffeine, or not enough sleep.
Although they usually resolve on their own, you should see a GP if a twitch lasts longer than two weeks than a fortnight
While typically not a direct indicator of cancer they can sometimes be linked to brain cancer, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.
This can happen if the tumour pressure on nearby nerves, which may lead to twitching or spasms in different face or limbs, the charity explains on their website.
A brain tumour can also disrupt the brain’s chemical balance, leading to muscle twitching.
In other cases, brain tumours can trigger seizures, which cause twitching or unusual movements.
Around 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain and nervous system tumours each year and there are 5,500 deaths annually.
Just one in 10 patients are still alive 10 years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and in 97 per cent of cases they could not be prevented.
They account for about two per cent of all cancers and can affect anyone, regardless of age.
Unfortunately, brain tumours are often missed because their symptoms can be vague and similar to other conditions, such as headaches.
Many people may not recognise early signs or may dismiss them as stress or ageing.
But like with any cancer, it’s best to catch it early so treatment is more likely to be effective.
Here are some other bizarre signs you might mistake for something else:
1. Changes in hearing
Sudden hearing loss or a persistent ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus, is another sign to be aware of.
However, in most cases, tumours that affect your hearing tend to me non-cancerous, according to Cancer Research UK.
What is a brain tumour?
A brain tumour is a growth of abnormal cells that grow on the organ and multiply and spread in an uncontrollable way.
The growths can be benign, and non-cancerous, which grow slowly and if treated are unlikely to reappear.
However, cancerous brain tumours are more serious and some can start in the brain or spread there from cancer elsewhere in the body.
Brain tumours are also graded on their seriousness, with grade one and two tumours being seen as low risk.
While grade three and four tumours are seen as high risk and likely to return after treatment.
This can happen if the brain tumour puts pressure on the auditory nerves, which are responsible for picking up signals from the ears to the brain.
This pressure can sometimes lead to full-blown hearing loss.
2. Speech difficulties
People with brain tumours might experience slurred speech, trouble finding words, or difficulty understanding others.
According to the Brain Tumour Charity, this happens when the tumour affects parts of the brain responsible for languages, such as the frontal lobe or temporal lobe
The frontal is responsible for forming words and getting them out there.
While the temporal lobe is used in understanding language, which involves putting sentences together so they make sense.
These issues can appear gradually and are sometimes mistaken for stress or fatigue, according to the Mayo Clinic.
3. Coordination issues
When a brain tumour affects the cerebellum (the back of the brain), it can really throw off balance and coordination.
A person may trip often or struggle with fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt or writing a shopping list
Tumours in areas controlling movement can also cause jerky motions or unsteadiness.
As the tumour grows, these coordination issues tend to get worse making everyday tasks more challenging.
Other common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Feeling sick, drowsy or vomiting
- Mental health changes or memory issues
- Behavioural changes and becoming more irritable
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision issues