Why is early cancer detection important?

Tue, Feb 10, 2015

Guess what??? Thousands of people beat cancer every year.

Doing so is easier when cancer’s diagnosed at an early stage, as treatment is often simpler and more likely to be effective. So, finding cancer early can make a real difference.{{more}}

Sometimes, people put off seeing their doctor because they’re worried about what the doctor might find. But it’s important to bear in mind that advances in the way cancer is diagnosed and treated have led to real improvements over the years.

If you develop cancer, you can improve the chance that it will be detected early if you have regular medical check-ups and do certain self-exams. Often a doctor can find early cancer during a physical exam or with routine tests, even if a person has no symptoms. The doctor may suggest some medical exams, tests and self-exams for people who are at increased risk for cancer. So, ask your doctor about your cancer risk, problems to watch for, and a schedule of regular check-ups. The doctor’s advice will be based on your age, medical history, family history, and other risk factors. The doctor also can help you learn about self-exams.

Some exams both men and women should consider:

Skin – The doctor should examine your skin during regular check-ups for signs of skin cancer. You should also check regularly for new growths, sores that do not heal, changes in the size, shape, or colour of any moles, or any other changes on the skin. Warning signs like these should be reported to the doctor right away.

Colon and rectum – Beginning at age 50, you should have a yearly fecal occult blood test. This test is a check for hidden (occult) blood in the stool. A small amount of stool is placed on a plastic slide or on special paper. It may be tested in the doctor’s office or sent to a lab. This test is done because cancer of the colon and rectum can cause bleeding. However, non-cancerous conditions can also cause bleeding; so, having blood in the stool does not necessarily mean a person has cancer. If blood is found, the doctor orders more tests to help make a diagnosis.

To check for cancer of the rectum, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels for any bumps or abnormal areas. A digital rectal exam should be done during regular check-ups.

Prepared by

Dr Jozelle Miller

Health Psychologist (MCMH)Founder of SCORCH Cancer Support group

Email address: jozellemiller@gmail.com

See continuation on Friday, February 13th Edition of Searchlight.