For years, doctors reassured Linda Chavez that her symptoms were nothing serious. However, she was later diagnosed with metastatic bronchial carcinoma, a type of lung cancer that had already reached stage four by the time it was detected.

With no chance for a cure, she is now sharing five critical warning signs of cancer in hopes that others won’t go through the same experience.

Five Cancer Warning Signs to Pay Attention To

Cancer Research UK reports that there are over 200 types of cancer, each with its own set of symptoms. Some affect specific areas like the skin or stomach, while others present more general warning signs, such as fatigue, unexplained pain, and weight loss. In Linda’s case, her cancer spread beyond her lungs, causing symptoms that were initially dismissed. Here are five warning signs she wants people to be aware of:

1. Persistent Bone Pain

Linda experienced deep, throbbing pain throughout her body—similar to the sensation of stubbing a toe but radiating and constant. This was a sign that the cancer had spread to her bones. Unlike ordinary aches, metastatic lung cancer can cause persistent pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication.