Show Cancers Cancer's Warning Signals WARNING SIGNALS Many years ago as a saving life aid and after consultation with medical med medd ical specialists the American Cancer Society designated certain cere tain tams warning signals that might mean cancer 1 L A SORE THAT DOES NOT HEAL This warning signal is most commonly associated with cancer cancer can of the skin mouth tongue lip and throat Skin cancer most of the cases of skin cancer might have been avoided by simply putting on a hat shirt or both Prolonged overexposure over expo sure to the sun should be avoided avoid avoid- ed a beach umbrella can be protective as can application of lotion or cream Have a look look- see sec by your doctor if any sore lister pimple or newly developed developed devel devel- blemish in the skin does not show signs of healing within two wo weeks 2 2 A LUMP OR THICKENING IN N THE BREAST OR ELSE WHERE A lump or thickening in the breast is especially significant to women Cancer of the breast II Uthe W U the leading cause of death from cancer among women Lumps or thickening in any part of the body such as the groin neck armpits etc should be a signal for or action If symptoms persist I for or two weeks call cali them to the attention of your doctor 3 3 UNUSUAL BLEEDING OR DISCHARGE This may mean any of a anum number number num num- ber of things sometimes cancer The most common forms farms of cancer associated with this signal are uterine cancer and colon and rectal cancer A simple simple sim sim- pIe Pap test can usually detect uterine cancer long before unusual unusual un un- usual bleeding or discharge oc oc- oc- oc cur Use of a can usually detect colon or rectal cancer in a very early stage again before a symptom shows If a warning signal persists for two weeks go to your doctor The chances are that there will willbe willbe willbe be no cancer but dont don't gamble 4 4 CHANGE IN A WART OR MOLE This warning signal may indi indi- indicate indicate indicate cate the start of skin cancer and of melanoma a relatively rare form of cancer that originates originates originates origin origin- ates in the skin Factors that m may lead d t to cancer cancer of the ski skit skin include a fair ruddy or sandy complexion complexion- skin that sunburns rather than tans Prolonged over overexposure overexposure overexposure exposure to strong sunlight and constant irritation of a wart or mole Melanoma may me indicated indicated indi indi- when a mole becomes p darker Fortunately the incidence incidence incidence inci inci- dence of melanoma is low since the average person has 21 moles Irritation may cause a mole to become cancerous thus it is wise to have moles removed when they are likely to be subject to irritation 5 5 CHANGE IN BOWEL OR BLADDER HABITS This warning signal Ii is most commonly associated with cancer cancer cancer can can- of the colon rectum stomach atom ach prostrate kidney bladder and uterus The number of lives saved from cancer at these sites could be improved through prompt action Usually these symptoms do not mean cancer but if a symptom persists for more than two weeks it should be brought to the attention of a physician 6 6 8 HOARSENESS OR COUGH This warning signal may be related related re reo re- re to at least two sites of 01 cancer Persistent cough is ofen often of of- ten en related to lung cancer Upwards Upwards Upwards Up Up- wards of 75 of those who develop develop develop de de- de- de lung cancer could have avoided the disease if they had never smoked cigarettes Stopping Stopping Stop Stop- ping cigarette smoking is usually usual usual- ly Iy the fastest way to clear up upa a cough and in some cases to prevent the development of lung cancer A continuing hoarseness may signal development of cancer of ot the larynx This type of cancer is no longer so feared as it once was when if the patient survived it almost always meant loss of speech Now new techniques ques for using natural organs of the body and mechanical devices devices devices de de- de- de vices make it possible for almost almost al most all aU larynx cancer patients to learn to talk again 7 7 INDIGESTION OR DIFFICULTY DIFFICULTY CULTY IN SWALLOWING |