How can you tell if you have cancer?

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How can you tell if you have cancer?

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Answer 1

How can you tell if you have cancer?

Well - the first thing to say is that if you think you have cancer - go to the doctor and never try to diagnose yourself!

You get used to your body and how it works - you kind of know what lumps, bumps and spots are there already. You can see them and feel them and they're just part of you. It's when something changes that you should take notice.

I mean when you've got a bit of a pain, or a spot or a lump or a cough that wasn't there before and you've noticed it more often - or it begins to irritate you.

Sometimes you don't notice it yourself and somebody else will pick it up and mention it to you, 'You've had that funny little cough for a while." or "What's that spot on your leg?" Then it's time to check it out with the doctor. Don't put it off.

Most cancers - about 90% - occur in people over 50 and the earlier its spotted the better. There are cancer screening programmes for breast cancer, bowel cancer and cervical cancer and I know many people -including me - who've been very glad they've gone and got 'checked out'!

There are several good sites to look at on the internet. Try this one:

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/spotcancerearly/

It's really good and gives sound advice. They also have an interactive symptom checker which can give reassurance.

Hope it help - keep well!