Which combination of signs is commonly associated with cancer warning signs in older adults?

• A. Because older adults are less likely to report symptoms.
• B. Because cancer is common in all patients regardless of age.
• C. Unexplained weight loss, persistent night pain, new bone pain, palpable masses, and fatigue.
• D. Because cancer does not occur in younger people.

Answer: (C)

Cancer warning signs in older adults often present as a cluster of systemic and local symptoms that don’t fit a normal pattern. Unexplained weight loss signals a metabolic change from a tumor and is a red flag when there’s no clear reason for it. Persistent night pain is concerning because cancer pain can be present even at rest and at night, not just from an injury or overuse. New bone pain can point to bone involvement or metastasis, which is common in many cancers. A palpable mass is a direct sign of tissue growth that warrants investigation, and fatigue reflects the body’s response to cancer, including anemia or ongoing metabolic stress. When these signs appear together, they strongly raise suspicion for cancer and need prompt medical evaluation.

The other statements don’t describe warning signs. One focuses on symptom reporting behavior rather than signs of disease; another makes an adult-age generalization about cancer prevalence that isn’t accurate; and another incorrectly asserts that cancer cannot occur in younger people.