The Family Times May 2018

grandparents

Lesser-known signs of cancer you shouldn’t ignore A constant headache that a Tylenol can’t remedy, unexplained lower back or rib pain, or a nagging cough that won’t quit, may not simply be signs of anxiety, stress or a cold or flu, but may indicate a more serious health concern—cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1,735,350 newcancer caseswill be diagnosed this year. However, thanks, in part, to the availability of new chemotherapy drugs and treatment technologies, more people are living with cancer as a chronic disease. But, as we all know, early detection of cancer, no matter what the cancer type, is critical, yet, many symptoms of cancer don’t always ‘appear’ the way you think they would. So, what are some of the lesser-known signs of cancer we shouldn’t ignore? 1. Changes in breast skin texture (e.g. puckering/ dimpling) can indicate breast cancer 2. Swelling in the armpit or around the collar bone can signal lymphoma, a type of blood cancer 3. Hoarseness can indicate lung or vocal cord cancers 4. Persistent coughing can strongly imply lung cancer 5. Bowel changes can tip off colorectal cancers 6. Unexplained weight loss can be symptomatic of a slew of cancers, including lung, pancreatic and colon cancers 7. Lower back pain could reveal ovarian or testicular cancers 8. Rib pain can signal kidney or lung cancers 9. Recurring fever can be evidence of blood, kidney, lung and breast cancers There are many other symptoms of cancer that are unfamiliar to most lay people, which include a rash, very heavy night sweats, persistent bloating, mouth or tongue sores that won’t heal, breathlessness, excessive bruising, and chronic headaches, among others. But, to not cause undue stress and worry, if you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, don’t panic because they don’t always mean cancer, but don’t ignore them either. Schedule an appointment with your physician to discuss your symptoms and medical history to rule out any chance of cancer. Again, early detection is key, and the more in tune with your own body and any changes that may take place to it, are habits of good health and can possibly lead to better outcomes if cancer is determined.

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Family Times

MAY 2018