The best way to treat cancer is to avoid it by taking care of one’s self:

• Avoid foods that are high in fat

• Eat a balanced diet high in fiber and antioxidants

• Avoid the use of tobacco products and second hand smoke

• Avoid contact with harmful toxins and chemicals

• Get proper rest

• Exercise

• Avoid undue stress

• Meditate and participate in activities that reduce stress

• Have strong relationships

• Get regular checkups and tests as recommended by your health care professional.

Even people, who do everything right can get cancer.

Avoiding cancer is the goal, but the second best thing is to detect cancer early while treatment options have the best chance to succeed. Many signs and symptoms may indicate something other than cancer so they require diagnostic testing to rule out cancer. If cancer is detected follow the recommended treatment.

Signs are signals that can be seen by someone else; perhaps a loved one or health care provider.

Symptoms are felt or noticed by the person who has them.

Sometimes cancer begins in a place where there may not be a clue it is there until it becomes quite large. For example cancer in the pancreas may not be noticed until the tumor presses on nerves or other organs causing pain or the eyes become yellowed from jaundice. Once it has spread beyond the spot it originated in it has become more insidious and intrusive within the body and treatment has to be more aggressive. The success/survival rate becomes lower depending on how advanced the cancer is.

Cancer can leave one feeling exhausted.

Cancer cells use up much of the body’s energy supply leaving the patient feeling extremely fatigued. It can also cause rapid weight loss. Any time one experiences rapid, unexplained weight loss, or extreme tiredness, it should be a cause of concern and should be immediately reported to their doctor.

Cancer cells can also do some other strange things such as release substances into the bloodstream which can cause blood clots in the veins of the legs or create strange hormone-like substances that raise blood calcium levels. These substances can affect nerves and muscles creating weakness and dizziness in the patient.

Signs and symptoms the American Cancer Society recommends one get checked out are:

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Pain

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• Skin changes such as:

o Darker looking skin

o Yellowish skin or eyes

o Reddened skin

o Itching

o Excessive hair growth

While these signs and symptoms do not necessarily mean the patient has cancer, cancer should be ruled out by proper examinations and or tests. Other signs or symptoms that indicate a more particular kind of cancer may include:

• Sores that will not heal

• White patches inside the mouth or on the tongue

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• Unusual discharges or bleeding. This can be from the nipples, or seen in the stool or urine.

• Changes in bladder or stool pattern

• Thickening or lump in the breast

• Changes in a wart or mole

• Nagging cough or hoarseness

The odds of survival improve greatly with early detection.

Please do not neglect your health. Make a careful examination of your body at least once a month reporting unusual findings to your physician.

References:

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer

http://www.cancer.org/ssLINK/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer

http://www.cancer.org/ssLINK/cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-worksheet-for-men

http://www.cancer.org/ssLINK/cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-worksheet-for-women