Don't Be One of Many Who Ignore Early Cancer Symptoms

FIRST PERSON | In the last few years, I have visited my doctor several times to "double-check" symptoms that seemed like they just might be cancer. A persistently swollen lymph node. A small lump in my breast. A new, odd-looking mole that itched. A lingering cough that included small amounts of blood. All of these symptoms turned out to be absolutely benign in cause -- a viral infection, a cyst, a benign mole, and bronchitis worsened by asthma -- but I was still very glad that I went to the doctor to get these symptoms checked. It's well worth my time and money to be certain of something so important, even knowing that the symptoms are probably not related to cancer in any way.

Unfortunately, many people in the same boat fail to seek medical care for a variety of reasons. So, when one of these symptoms is caused by cancer, the disease may go completely undetected for months -- at which point it may be too late to respond to treatment. A recently released survey by Cancer Research UK found that many people were unable to identify early signs and symptoms of cancer, and many of those who could would still tend to avoid going to the doctor.

As many as three quarters of Britons polled failed to identify weight loss, pain, coughing, bladder problems, and bowel problems among potential signs of cancer. A full 25 percent said they wouldn't seek evaluation for cancer symptoms for fear of wasting the doctor's time, while 40 percent said that they would delay seeking diagnosis for fear of what the doctor might say. In the United States, where many are uninsured and medical procedures can be very expensive, rates of delayed diagnosis may be even higher.

Unfortunately, the phenomenon of delayed diagnosis, whether due to fear or ignorance, is deadly. The longer cancer goes undetected, the more opportunity it has to spread to other systems. After cancers metastasize to distant organs -- entering the ominous "stage four" -- it is generally considered untreatable. Cancers diagnosed in the earliest stages, however, can often be resolved with minimally invasive treatments.

My friends have teased me about being a hypochondriac, since I don't delay seeking diagnosis when I show worrisome symptoms, but I would prefer to "waste" my time and money than to learn, months after developing a symptom, that I have untreatable cancer. I would like to hope that, one day soon, people showing any symptoms of cancer will be able and empowered to seek prompt evaluation and care.

Juniper Russo is a health advocate, freelance writer and dedicated mom living in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dont-one-many-ignore-early-cancer-symptoms-182700375.html

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