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Show By C. A. Dean, M. D. MEDITORIAL: My mail brings many questions concerning various vari-ous phases of health and disease. One of the most frequently asked is "What are the cancer danger signals?" There are seven signs. 1. Unusual bleeding or discharge. dis-charge. Whenever blood, in any form, comes from any body opening open-ing (mouth, nose, ear, rectum, fe- mate genual tract or uretnrai u should be checked. Often, nothing more than a simple examination will determine the cause. Other times X-rays and special tests will be needed. Under no circumstance circum-stance should you assume bleeding bleed-ing is Innocent. 2. A lump or thickening In the breast or elsewhere. Most women wom-en are aware of the importance of breast lumps. However, we should all have the same concern for any lump. Fears and worries can be avoided by proper examination of these. 3. A sore that doesn't heal. These are the most suspicious lesions and we should never let an unhealed un-healed sore go beyond two weeks without seeking help. 4. Change in bowel or bladder habits. It is easy to ignore this for prolonged periods, thinking "things wlil straighten out." Don't hat rr It en4 -r ' lot li o oumn. i torn slip by. 5. Hoarseness or cough. These, too, are easy to Ignore but are Important especially for the heavy smoker. 6. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing. Onset of indigestion in a person 40 or over, previously free of such trouble, is of partic- -ular importance. Swaliowing difficulties dif-ficulties are usually noted with solids first. 7. Change in wart or mole. Look for enlargement, inflammation, change in color or ulceration. Observation Ob-servation Is easy In these cases sine they art located on the skin. |