Early Detection Saves Lives
"A stitch in time saves nine." It's an old saying but it's especially relevant when it comes to the early detection of cancer. Detecting cancer early can mean the difference between life and death.
What is early detection?
Early detection means finding cancer before symptoms appear or when it is still in its earliest stages. At this point, the disease is often smaller, localized, and more treatable. Screening tests and routine check-ups play a critical role in catching cancer early.
Why screening matters
Research consistently shows that early detection dramatically improves survival rates. Here's what the research shows:
- Breast cancer: If caught early (stage 1), nearly everyone survives at least five years. Even at stage 2, survival is 92%.
- Lung cancer: Many cases in Canada are found late (stage 4), when only 3 out of 100 people survive five years. If found at stage 1, survival jumps to 62 out of 100.
- Colon cancer: People diagnosed at stage 1 are eight times more likely to live at least five years compared to stage 4.
- Skin cancer: The most common types (basal cell and squamous cell) are 99% treatable when detected early.
Know your risk
Everyone's cancer risk is different. Factors such as age, family history, lifestyle, and environmental exposures all play a role. Understanding your personal risk can help you and your healthcare provider determine when and how often to get screened.
Talk to your doctor about:
- Your family history of cancer
- Recommended screening timelines
- Any unusual symptoms, even if they seem minor
Common early signs of cancer you should never ignore
1. Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without trying, especially 10 pounds or more, can sometimes be an early sign of cancers affecting the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lungs. While weight changes can have many causes, unexplained loss should be checked by a healthcare provider.
2. Persistent fatigue
Extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest, or that interferes with daily life, may signal an underlying health issue, including some cancers.
3. Changes in the skin
New moles or growths, changes in the size, shape, or color of existing moles and sores that do not heal should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
4. New or unexplained pain
Any ongoing pain anywhere in the body that isn't caused by an injury or illness and doesn't respond to regular treatments should be assessed by a doctor.
5. Changes in urinary or bowel habits
Persistent constipation, diarrhea, or discomfort during urination or bowel movements are reasons to see your doctor. These symptoms could indicate inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease, they may also be a sign of colon or stomach cancer.
6. A cough or hoarseness that won't go away
A dry, hacking cough lasting more than two weeks, coughing up blood, or persistent hoarseness could be warning signs. A breathy, raspy, or strained voice when speaking, especially if accompanied by difficulty swallowing or pain in the neck or throat, may also indicate thyroid or throat cancers.
7. Irregular periods or pelvic pain
Irregular or abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially if you are post-menopausal, unusual vaginal discharge or persistent pelvic pain or pain during sex, could be a sign of gynecologic cancers like cervical, ovarian, uterine or vaginal cancers.
8. Persistent headache
A headache that won't go away especially after using pain medications and lasts more than two weeks should be assessed by a doctor. Also, blurred or double vision, hearing changes, facial drooping, seizures or other neurological symptoms should be evaluated. These could be warning signs of a brain tumor or brain cancers.
Listen to your body
It's important to know your body well so that when you notice changes, you recognize that it's time to get checked. While symptoms may often be caused by conditions other than cancer, it is always important to reach out to a healthcare professional to rule out serious concerns.
Early detection saves lives and awareness is the first step.
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