Beat the Boogieman.
megabeln
Posts: 36 Member
Remember when you used to hide under the covers to avoid the monsters under your bed? You were terrified they would snag you out of your bed so you’d hide to protect yourself. Fortunately, adults have a weapon most children don’t: they can learn how to find the monsters before the monsters find them.
We’re talking about the Big C. Cancer. The ultimate monster under the bed.
When it comes to this particular monster, your greatest protector is information- knowing the signs and getting the screenings that can catch a cancer in its early stages, when survival is most likely. For example, in the case of skin cancer, one of the most common but also most potentially deadly cancers in the US, the five-year survival rate is 100 percent if it’s caught early, while it drops to less than 20 percent at the later stages. This difference is undoubtedly worth a monthly five-minute look in the mirror.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Like most monsters, cancer has a really hard time hiding from those who know where to look. In many cases, it announces its presence, letting us know that it’s time to take action now. Any of these symptoms should send you immediately to the doctor for a check-up.
• Unexplained weight loss of ten pounds or more – The body will not do this on its own without an explainable reason.
• Fever – Cancers, especially those that attack the immune system, will cause fever at some point.
• Fatigue – Body-weariness that is continual and does not go away with proper amounts of rest can be an indicator that something is wrong.
• Pain – Headaches, back pain, and other pain that doesn’t go away aren’t normal and shouldn’t be ignored.
Denying that problems exist won’t make a situation go away; it will only prolong the issue and possibly make it worse. These signs and symptoms may not indicate cancer at all, but if they do, acting fast will increase your chances of survival.
Other signs and symptoms related to specific cancers include:
• Skin changes – Some indicators of skin cancer include skin darkening, reddening, or yellowing, as well as itching and excessive or unusual hair growth.
• Changes in bowel or bladder function – Talk to your doctor if you experience long-term constipation or diarrhea or changes in the size of your stool, which could be signs of colon cancer. Pain when urinating, blood, or an increase in urination may be a sign of bladder or prostate cancer.
• Sores that don’t heal – These may be signs of skin cancer or oral cancer, especially if you smoke, chew tobacco, or drink.
• White patches in the mouth or on the tongue – This is an early sign of oral cancer, especially among those who use tobacco.
• Unusual discharge or bleeding – Blood in your spit or phlegm may be a sign of lung cancer, and blood in the stool (or dark stool) may indicate colon or rectal cancer. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may indicate cancer of the cervix or endometrium, and blood in the urine may be bladder or kidney cancer.
• Thickening or lumps in the breast or other part of the body – Thickening in the breast, testicles, glands, and other soft tissues may be an early sign of cancer.
• Indigestion or trouble swallowing – These may indicate cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or throat.
• Change in the appearance of a mole, wart, or freckle – Changes in the color, size, or shape of these skin features could be a sign of skin cancer.
• Nagging cough or hoarseness – A cough that doesn’t go away could be a sign of lung cancer, and hoarseness could be a sign of cancer of the larynx or thyroid.
• Change in the breast – Changes in size or shape; dimpling or puckering of the skin; swelling, redness or warmth that doesn’t go away; recurrent localized pain; and nipple discharge in only one breast are all signs of breast cancer.
These are the most common symptoms, but there are others. You know what your body does normally, how it looks, feels, and works, and any major changes in how it functions, especially if they last for several weeks, should be checked out without delay.
Screenings
Not all monsters announce their presence. Now that you’re an adult, you have more tools at your disposal to fight off problems. Devices in the form of regular screenings that detect cancers in their early stages, even before they show symptoms you can recognize. Some cancers are not symptomatic until they are advanced, so getting regular screenings are important. Barring any indicators that you have a greater than average risk, screenings should include:
• Breast cancer – Beginning at age 40, yearly mammograms and breast exams by a doctor.
• Colorectal cancer – Beginning at age 50, flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years or a colonoscopy every ten years, plus a yearly fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test.
• Cervical cancer – By age 21, a yearly Pap test; after age 30, a Pap test every 2-3 years if previous tests have been normal; those who are over age 70 or who have had total hysterectomies may elect not to continue Pap tests.
• Prostate cancer – Beginning at age 50, talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of testing. Do this by age 45 if you are African-American or have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65.
Hiding under the covers works for children but not for adults, so arm yourself with the tools you need to recognize the symptoms and schedule the screenings to keep the C monster at bay. If it’s hiding in your body, find it early, get it treated, and live to fight another day.
We’re talking about the Big C. Cancer. The ultimate monster under the bed.
When it comes to this particular monster, your greatest protector is information- knowing the signs and getting the screenings that can catch a cancer in its early stages, when survival is most likely. For example, in the case of skin cancer, one of the most common but also most potentially deadly cancers in the US, the five-year survival rate is 100 percent if it’s caught early, while it drops to less than 20 percent at the later stages. This difference is undoubtedly worth a monthly five-minute look in the mirror.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Like most monsters, cancer has a really hard time hiding from those who know where to look. In many cases, it announces its presence, letting us know that it’s time to take action now. Any of these symptoms should send you immediately to the doctor for a check-up.
• Unexplained weight loss of ten pounds or more – The body will not do this on its own without an explainable reason.
• Fever – Cancers, especially those that attack the immune system, will cause fever at some point.
• Fatigue – Body-weariness that is continual and does not go away with proper amounts of rest can be an indicator that something is wrong.
• Pain – Headaches, back pain, and other pain that doesn’t go away aren’t normal and shouldn’t be ignored.
Denying that problems exist won’t make a situation go away; it will only prolong the issue and possibly make it worse. These signs and symptoms may not indicate cancer at all, but if they do, acting fast will increase your chances of survival.
Other signs and symptoms related to specific cancers include:
• Skin changes – Some indicators of skin cancer include skin darkening, reddening, or yellowing, as well as itching and excessive or unusual hair growth.
• Changes in bowel or bladder function – Talk to your doctor if you experience long-term constipation or diarrhea or changes in the size of your stool, which could be signs of colon cancer. Pain when urinating, blood, or an increase in urination may be a sign of bladder or prostate cancer.
• Sores that don’t heal – These may be signs of skin cancer or oral cancer, especially if you smoke, chew tobacco, or drink.
• White patches in the mouth or on the tongue – This is an early sign of oral cancer, especially among those who use tobacco.
• Unusual discharge or bleeding – Blood in your spit or phlegm may be a sign of lung cancer, and blood in the stool (or dark stool) may indicate colon or rectal cancer. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may indicate cancer of the cervix or endometrium, and blood in the urine may be bladder or kidney cancer.
• Thickening or lumps in the breast or other part of the body – Thickening in the breast, testicles, glands, and other soft tissues may be an early sign of cancer.
• Indigestion or trouble swallowing – These may indicate cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or throat.
• Change in the appearance of a mole, wart, or freckle – Changes in the color, size, or shape of these skin features could be a sign of skin cancer.
• Nagging cough or hoarseness – A cough that doesn’t go away could be a sign of lung cancer, and hoarseness could be a sign of cancer of the larynx or thyroid.
• Change in the breast – Changes in size or shape; dimpling or puckering of the skin; swelling, redness or warmth that doesn’t go away; recurrent localized pain; and nipple discharge in only one breast are all signs of breast cancer.
These are the most common symptoms, but there are others. You know what your body does normally, how it looks, feels, and works, and any major changes in how it functions, especially if they last for several weeks, should be checked out without delay.
Screenings
Not all monsters announce their presence. Now that you’re an adult, you have more tools at your disposal to fight off problems. Devices in the form of regular screenings that detect cancers in their early stages, even before they show symptoms you can recognize. Some cancers are not symptomatic until they are advanced, so getting regular screenings are important. Barring any indicators that you have a greater than average risk, screenings should include:
• Breast cancer – Beginning at age 40, yearly mammograms and breast exams by a doctor.
• Colorectal cancer – Beginning at age 50, flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years or a colonoscopy every ten years, plus a yearly fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test.
• Cervical cancer – By age 21, a yearly Pap test; after age 30, a Pap test every 2-3 years if previous tests have been normal; those who are over age 70 or who have had total hysterectomies may elect not to continue Pap tests.
• Prostate cancer – Beginning at age 50, talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of testing. Do this by age 45 if you are African-American or have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65.
Hiding under the covers works for children but not for adults, so arm yourself with the tools you need to recognize the symptoms and schedule the screenings to keep the C monster at bay. If it’s hiding in your body, find it early, get it treated, and live to fight another day.
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