Jorge Cárdenas, oncologist: “Cancer starts with small things. The risk isn’t feeling something strange, it’s getting used to it”
The professional has shared a video on TikTok in which he indicates the different signals that our body sends to warn us of a possible problem.
Cancer is one of the most serious and damaging illnesses the human body can face. It begins when abnormal cells start multiplying uncontrollably, and in more advanced stages, those cells can form tumors or spread to other parts of the body through metastasis, affecting vital organs.
Because early detection can make a major difference, recognizing the body’s warning signs is crucial. Jorge Cárdenas, an oncologist and popular medical educator on social media, recently shared a TikTok video explaining the subtle signals people often overlook.
@dr.jorge.cardenas.m Los síntomas del cáncer 🤔 #drjorgecardenas #médico #deteccióntemprana #medicina
♬ sonido original - Dr. Jorge Cárdenas Mariaud
“Doctor, what are the symptoms of cancer?”
Cárdenas says he hears this question constantly.“Almost always, it starts the same way,” he explains. “Someone comes in and says, ‘Doctor, I don’t know if I’m overreacting, but something just feels off.’ And I get it — nobody wakes up thinking they’re going to have cancer.”
According to him, cancer often begins with small, everyday changes that many people ignore:
- A lump that appears out of nowhere
- Unusual fatigue that doesn’t go away
- A new, persistent pain
“These things slowly become part of your daily routine,” he says, “and that’s when people stop paying attention.”
The clearer warning signs
Cárdenas highlights several symptoms that should prompt a medical evaluation:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Bleeding or bruising without a clear cause
- Wounds that don’t heal
- Moles that change in appearance
- Discomfort or pain that keeps increasing
He stresses that having one of these symptoms does not automatically mean someone has cancer — many times, the cause is benign. But they are signals worth checking.
“The key isn’t living in fear — it’s getting care on time”
“The real danger isn’t feeling something unusual,” Cárdenas warns. “It’s getting used to it, self‑medicating, and letting months go by hoping it will disappear.”
He notes that most cancers don’t cause symptoms in their earliest stages, which is why prevention and routine checkups matter so much.
“The problem isn’t that the body sends signals,” he says. “The problem is that we don’t listen.”
He ends with a message he wants everyone to remember:“The key isn’t living in fear — it’s getting care on time.”
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