Routine tests like pap smears and mammograms are important, but don't
rely on tests alone to protect you from cancer. It's just as important
to listen to your body and notice anything that's different, odd, or
unexplainable. Although many of these symptoms could be caused by less
serious conditions, they're worth getting checked out if they persist.
You don't want to join the ranks of cancer patients who realize too late
that symptoms they'd noticed for a long time could have sounded the
alarm earlier, when cancer was easier to cure.
Chronic cough or chest pain
Several types of cancer, including leukemia and lung tumors, can
cause symptoms that mimic a bad cough or bronchitis. One way to tell the
difference: The problems persist, or go away and come back again in a
repeating cycle. Some lung cancer patients report chest pain that
extends up into the shoulder or down the arm.
Wheezing or shortness of breath
One of the
first signs lung cancer patients remember noticing when they look back
is the inability to catch their
breath. "I couldn't even walk across the
yard without wheezing. I thought I had asthma, but how come I didn't
have it before?" is how one woman described it. Thyroid cancer can also
cause breathing problems if a nodule or tumor begins to press on the
trachea, or windpipe. Any breathing difficulties that persist are reason
to visit the doctor.
Frequent fevers or infections
These can be signs of leukaemia, a cancer of the blood cells that
starts in the bone marrow. Leukaemia causes the marrow to produce
abnormal white blood cells, which crowd out healthy white cells, sapping
the body’s infection-fighting capabilities. Often, doctors finally
catch leukaemia in older adults after the patient has been in a number
of times complaining of fever, achiness, and flu-like symptoms over an
extended period of time.
Difficulty swallowing
Most commonly associated with oesophageal or throat cancer, having
trouble swallowing is sometimes one of the first signs of lung cancer,
too.
Swollen lymph nodes or lumps on the neck, underarm, or groin
Enlarged lymph nodes indicate changes in the lymphatic system, which
can be a sign of cancer. For example, a lump or an enlarged lymph node
under the arm is sometimes a sign of breast cancer. A painless lump on
the neck, underarm, or groin can be an early sign of leukaemia.
Excessive bruising or bleeding that doesn’t stop
This symptom usually suggests something abnormal happening with the
platelets and red blood cells, which can be a sign of leukaemia. One
woman with leukaemia described bruising in strange places, such as on
her fingers and hands, as well as red spots on her face, neck, and
chest. Another noticed bleeding gums. The explanation: Over time,
leukaemia cells crowd out red blood cells and platelets, impairing the
blood’s ability to carry oxygen and clot.
Weakness or fatigue
Generalised fatigue and weakness is a symptom of so many different
kinds of cancer that you’ll need to look at it in combination with other
symptoms. But any time you feel exhausted without explanation and it
doesn’t respond to getting more sleep, talk to your doctor.
Bloating or abdominal weight gain
While this might sound too common a phenomenon to be considered a
cancer symptom, consider this: Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer
overwhelmingly report that unexplained abdominal bloating that came on
fairly suddenly and continued on and off over a long period of time (as
opposed to for a few days each month with PMS) is one of the main ways
they knew something was wrong.
Feeling full or unable to eat
This is another tip-off to ovarian cancer; women say they have no
appetite and can’t eat, even when they haven’t eaten for some time. Any
woman who experiences noticeable bloating or weight gain numerous times
(the diagnostic criteria is more than 13 times over the period of a
month) - especially if it’s accompanied by pelvic pain or feeling overly
full - should call her doctor and ask for a pelvic ultrasound.
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Taken by itself, pelvic pain can mean a lot of things. In fact,
because it’s a common symptom of fibroids, ovarian cysts, and other
reproductive tract disorders, doctors don’t always think of cancer when
you describe pelvic pain. Make sure your doctor looks at all possible
explanations and does a full exam, since pain and cramping in the pelvis
and abdomen can go hand in hand with the bloating that often signals
ovarian cancer. Leukaemia can also cause abdominal pain resulting from
an enlarged spleen.
Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
“I thought it was haemorrhoids” is one of the most common things
doctors hear when diagnosing colorectal cancer. Blood in the toilet
alone is reason to call your doctor and schedule a colonoscopy.
Unexplained weight loss
If you notice the pounds coming off and you haven’t made changes to
your diet or exercise regime, you need to ask why. Weight loss is an
early sign of colon and other digestive cancers; it’s also a sign of
cancer that’s spread to the liver, affecting your appetite and the
ability of your body to rid itself of wastes.
Upset stomach or stomach-ache
As simple as it sounds, a good old-fashioned bellyache is what tipped
off a number of lucky folks, whose doctors ordered ultrasounds and
discovered early that they had tumors on their livers. Stomach cramps or
frequent upset stomachs may indicate colorectal cancer; many cancer
patients say their doctors thought they had ulcers.
A red, sore, or swollen breast
Everyone knows to check for lumps in the breasts, but too often
overlooked are symptoms closer to the surface, which can indicate
inflammatory breast cancer. Some women described noticing cellulite-like
dimpled skin on an area of the breast. Others noticed that a breast
felt swollen, hot, or irritated. Red or purplish discoloration is also
cause for concern. Call your doctor about any unexplained changes to
your breasts.
Nipple changes
One of the most common changes women remember noticing before being
diagnosed with breast cancer is a nipple that began to appear flattened,
inverted, or turned sideways. “My nipple started looking like it was
turned inside out,” said one woman. In addition, inflammatory breast
cancer also causes nipple problems, such as itchy, scaly, or crusty skin
on the nipple -- so take any nipple changes seriously.
Unusually heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods
Many women reported this as the tip-off to endometrial or uterine
cancer. Unfortunately, many women also said their doctors weren’t
responsive, overlooking or misdiagnosing their complaints as normal
perimenopause. Ask for a trans-vaginal ultrasound if you suspect
something more than routine heavy periods.
Swelling of facial features
Some patients with lung cancer report noticing puffiness, swelling,
or redness in the face. The explanation for this is that small cell lung
tumours commonly block blood vessels in the chest, preventing blood
from flowing freely from the head and face.
A sore or skin lump that doesn’t heal, becomes crusty, or bleeds easily
Most of us know to watch moles for changes that might indicate skin
cancer. But other signs, such as small waxy lumps or dry scaly patches,
are easier to miss. Familiarize yourself with the different types of
skin cancer melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma
and be vigilant about checking skin all over the body for odd-looking
growths or spots.
Changes in nails
Unexplained changes to the fingernails can be a sign of several types
of cancer. A brown or black streak or dot under the nail can indicate
skin cancer, while newly discovered “clubbing”- enlargement of the ends
of the fingers, with nails that curve down over the tips-can be a sign
of lung cancer. Pale or white nails can be an indication that your liver
is not functioning properly, sometimes a sign of liver cancer.
Pain in the back or lower right side
As vague as this sounds, many cancer patients say this was the first
sign of liver cancer, known as one of the “silent killers” (another is
ovarian cancer). Breast cancer is also often diagnosed via back pain,
which can occur when a breast tumour presses backward into the chest, or
when the cancer spreads to the spine or ribs.
-HealthyLiving
...Share your Thoughts...thanks!
Fantastic blog and this blog post spread awareness of cancer. menopause is one of the cause to breast cancer. Keep it up.
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