Symptoms
Understanding Cancer

One of the most disturbing aspects of cancer is that there are often no symptoms until a tumor has grown large enough to affect the body's function or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. For that reason, it is especially important to have routine screening tests for cancer, including colon cancer tests, mammography and PAP smears for women, and PSA blood tests to help detect prostate cancer in men.

It's also important to pay attention to possible symptoms, as outlined by the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). The society offers general symptoms that might or might not be related to cancer but should be discussed with your doctor. These include u nexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, pain or visible skin changes.

In addition, the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov) outlines some specific symptoms of possible cancer:

• Thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body


• Obvious change in a wart or mole


• A sore that does not heal


• Nagging cough or hoarseness


• Changes in bowel or bladder habits


• Indigestion or difficulty swallowing


• Unexplained changes in weight


• Unusual bleeding or discharge

According to the institute, "When these or other symptoms occur, they are not always caused by cancer. They may also be caused by infections, benign tumors, or other problems. It is important to see the doctor about any of these symptoms or about other physical changes. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. One should not wait to feel pain: Early cancer usually does not cause pain."

The National Cancer Institute also offers an informative online publication called "What You Need To Know About™ Cancer - An Overview" with additional information.