I came across a pamphlet of a NGO called "global Caner Concern India" which works for cancer care in India.
Don't know how many of us are aware of the symptoms. Many a times it is
diagnosed at the last stage (except few lucky ones) and it is very
painful to see their life ending painfully.
My own MIL suffered Colon cancer and had a painful death. Though she
showed many a symptoms associated with it and it was visible in her CT
scan, it went unnoticed by the doctor treating her. She could not
undergo the surgery as planned as it had already spread to her bladder,
kidney and was spreading to other organs....
Healthy Food, healthy living, right body weight etc will help one lead a healthy life.
The pamphlet of the NGO gave a list of symptoms suffered during
different type of cancers. Sharing it here because it may help the needy
to identify it at right time to take the necessary diagnosis and
treatment. But do not panic when you see similar symptoms for some other
minor ailments. Keep your cool and take the medical help to diagnose
the problem.
ORAL CANCER :- White or red patches inside the oral cavity or difficulty in swallowing or opening the mouth wide, thickening of the tongue.
LUNG / THROAT CANCERS :-
Persistent cough ; chest pain ; blood in sputum ; shortness of breath ;
weight loss or loss of appetite ; hoarseness ; repeated bouts of
penumonia or bronchitis, difficulty in swallowing.
STOMACH CANCER : Indigestion or hearburn, pain in the abdomen,
bloating of stomach after meals, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, diarrhoea or constipation, blood in vomit.
COLON CANCER : Diarrhoea, constipation or any other change in bowel habits ; frequent gas pains ; blood in faeces
BREAST CANCER:- A
lump in the breast
or under-arm area ; change in shape, size or colour of the breast ;
discharge from nipple ; dimpled puckered or scaly surface of the breast
(like an orange peel)
CERVICAL / UTERINE CANCER :- unusual vaginal bleeding ; pain in the pelvic area, foul smelling or unusual discharge.
KIDNEY CANCER :- blood in urine ; frequent fevers ; weightloss or loss of appetite ; tiredness ; pain in the side ; anemia or high blood pressure
BLADDER CANCER :- The neeed to urinate frequently, painful urination ;
blood in the urine
PROSTATE CANCER :- Urination problems
MELANOMA (SKin cancer) :- Change in size shape or colour of a mole or wart
finally the pamphlet stressed :- "Please note that these symptoms could
be caused by something less serious too. However it is important that
you consult your doctor for a proper investigation if any of the above
symptoms persists for more than two weeks".
Along with the above symptoms i would like to mention certain things
which we learnt from our experience that are important to be noticed and
followed during the treatment.
