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April is Cancer Control Month

The American Cancer Society states that treatment is most successful when the cancer is discovered early. That often means it can be treated while still small and less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This means a better chance for a cure, especially if initial treatment is to be surgery.

General Signs and Symptoms

It is important to know some of the general signs and symptoms of cancer. However, it’s important to remember that having any of these does not necessarily mean that cancer is present. There are many other conditions that can cause these.

• Unexplained weight loss: An unintentional weight loss of about 10 pounds may be the first sign of cancer.
• Fever: Common with cancer, but more often seen in advanced disease. Less often, fever may be an early sign of cancer, such as with Hodgkin's disease.
• Fatigue: Significant as cancer progresses. Can occur early if the cancer is causing a chronic loss of blood, as in some colon or stomach cancers.
• Pain: It may be an early sign with some cancers, such as bone cancers or testicular cancer. Most often, however, pain is a symptom of advanced disease.
• Skin changes: In addition to cancers of the skin, some internal cancers can produce visible skin signs such as darkening, yellowing (jaundice), reddening, itching, or excessive hair growth.

Specific Signs and Symptoms

In addition to general symptoms, the following common symptoms could be an indication of cancer. Again, there may be other causes for each of these. It is important to tell your doctor as soon as possible so that they can be checked out.

• Change in bowel habits or bladder function: Chronic constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool, pain with urination, blood in the urine, or a change in bladder (more or less urination) or bowel function.
• Bleeding or sores that do not heal.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge: Can occur in early or advanced cancer - blood in the sputum (phlegm), stool (or a dark or black stool), urine, from nipple, or vaginal bleeding.
• Thickening or lump in breast or other parts of the body: Many cancers can be felt through the skin, particularly in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes (glands), and the soft tissues of the body.
• Indigestion or trouble swallowing: While they commonly have other causes, these symptoms may indicate cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or throat.
• Recent change in a wart or mole: Any change in color or shape, loss of definite borders, or an increase in size should be reported to your doctor without delay.
• Nagging cough or hoarseness: Cough or hoarseness that does not go away.

For more information:

• Visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.
• Search for Cancer in Preferred Care's online Health Encyclopedia for information on related topics.

Posted: April 2005