Look, I don’t want to put the fear of cancer in you, but some warning signs are
often overlooked. As reported in recent months, more people than ever are avoiding going to the doctor for check-ups, or for what they consider to be minor problems because of insurance difficulties, or necessary financial belt tightening. But there are some health issues you simply must not skimp on when it comes to paying money to see a doctor. Strongly consider seeing a doctor if you’re
experiencing any of the following symptoms, especially more than one. These are from Caring.com, an online resource that focuses on health
issues we may experience as we age.
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. 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.
1. 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.
2. Chronic cough or chest painSeveral
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.
3. Frequent fevers or infectionsThese
can be signs of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that starts in
the bone marrow. Leukemia 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 leukemia
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.
4. Difficulty swallowingThis is most
commonly associated with esophageal or throat cancer, but having trouble
swallowing is sometimes one of the first signs of lung cancer, too.
5. Swollen lymph nodes or lumps on the neck, underarm, or groinEnlarged
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 leukemia.
6. Excessive bruising or bleeding that doesn't stopThis
symptom usually suggests something abnormal happening with the
platelets and red blood cells, which can be a sign of leukemia. One
woman with leukemia 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,
leukemia cells crowd out red blood cells and platelets, impairing the
blood's ability to carry oxygen and clot.
7. Weakness and fatigue
"I
kept having to sit down at work, and one night I was too tired to drive
home," said one woman in describing the fatigue that led her to
discover she had leukemia. Generalized 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.
8. Bloating or abdominal weight gain -- the "my jeans don't fit" syndromeWhile
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.
9. Feeling full and unable to eatThis
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.
10. Pelvic or abdominal painTaken
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. Leukemia can also cause abdominal pain resulting from an
enlarged spleen.
11. Rectal bleeding or blood in stool"I
thought it was hemorrhoids" 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.
12. Unexplained weight lossIf
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.
13. Upset stomach or stomachacheAs
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.
14. A red, sore, or swollen breastEveryone
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.
15. Nipple changesOne
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.
16. Unusually heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periodsMany
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 transvaginal ultrasound if you suspect something more than
routine heavy periods.
17. Swelling of facial featuresSome
patients with lung cancer report noticing puffiness, swelling, or
redness in the face. The explanation for this is that small cell lung
tumors commonly block blood vessels in the chest, preventing blood from
flowing freely from the head and face.
18. A sore or skin lump that doesn't heal, becomes crusty, or bleeds easilyMost
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.
19. Changes in nailsUnexplained
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.
20. Pain in the back or lower right sideAs
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 tumor presses backward into the chest, or
when the cancer spreads to the spine or ribs.
This list does not mean you have cancer. This list means if you recognize yourself in one or more of these possible signs to watch out for, being PROactive is the way to go, and you should talk to a doctor to rule something out, at least.
John
Email John: johnsblog@teshmedia.com
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