Today is the 4th of February. This day is marked as the World Cancer Day ‘to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer’. The focus for this year’s World Cancer Day is on Target 5 of the World Cancer Declaration – to dispel myths and misconceptions about cancer. You shall, over the next few days, be reading a lot about such myths about cancer. In a previous blog post I talked about 20 myths related to breast cancer.
But today, I am going to share with you a list of possible signs of cancer. These signs are commonly called the C-A-U-T-I-O-N signs…because of the mnemonic they form.
Changes
in stool or urine
Long term constipation or
diarrhea
More often or infrequent stool
or urine
Pain while passing urine
Pain while passing urine
A sore or a white patch that does not heal
A sore that takes >3 weeks to healA white patch in the mouth or private parts
White spots on the tongue
Unusual discharge and bleeding
Blood
in the stool, urine or sputum
Unusual
bleeding from the vagina
Bloody
discharge from nippleThickness or lump
Lump
in breasts or almost anywhere in the body
Thickening
of testicles or lymph nodes
Indigestion & difficulty in
swallowing
Though
mostly caused by other reasons, persistent indigestion or swallowing problems
may be related to cancer of the food pipe.
Obvious changes in moles & warts
Change
in color,
size, or shape
Loss
of definite border
Nagging cough or hoarseness
Cough
that does not go away
Persistent
hoarseness of voice
Please remember:
- Less common signs & symptoms are not listed here.
- If you notice ANY change in your body or the way it functions, especially if it lasts a long time, see a doctor.
- If it is not cancer, the doctor will find out more about the condition and treat it, if needed.
- If it is cancer, there will be a good chance of early treatment.
