Spotting signs of Cancer
It is important to be aware of unexplained changes to your body. The typical sign and symptoms are:- Changes in bowel/bladder habits – Diarrhoea/constipation for no obvious reasons; urinary frequency/urgency/nocturia.
- A Sore that doesn’t heal.
- Unusual Bleeding or Discharge – Unexplained blood in urine, stool, between periods, in vomit, cough.
- Thickening or Lump – Consult a doctor if you notice a lump anywhere in your body.
- Indigestion or Difficulty in Swallowing
- Obvious change in wart or mole.
- Nagging Cough/Breathlessness/Hoarseness – If you have had a cough, breathlessness for more than two weeks, or if you had blood in your phlegm.
What to do if you have worrying symptom
- Consult your doctor – He/She will ask simple questions, examine you and may ask for some tests.
- If he/she suspects cancer, then you would be referred to an Oncologist.
How to reduce your risk of developing cancer:
- STOP smoking or tobacco use in any form.
- Be physically active.
- Eat healthy, less calorie, low fat diet.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Protect your skin from sun, avoid over exposure.
Symptoms of Throat Cancer
- A sore throat that doesn’t go away
- Pain or difficulty in swallowing
- Hoarseness or change in voice quality
- Ear pain
- A lump in neck
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
- Post-menopausal Bleeding
- Inter-menstrual Bleeding
- Excessive heavy bleeding during periods
- Bleeding during intercourse
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Painless lumpy feeling in breast
- Swelling/Nodules in armpit
- Any change in size/shape of breast or overlying skin
- Nipple Discharge/Bleeding/Retraction
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
- Persistent/Unexplained breathlessness (especially if exposure to tobacco in any form)
- Persistent/Unexplained change in voice quality
- Unexplained chest pain
- Persistent/unexplained cough with or without blood in phlegm
