Cancer is undoubtedly one of the most feared diseases of our age! Every year, approximately 15 million people in the world and approximately 175 thousand people in our country are diagnosed with cancer. Although the number of patients diagnosed with cancer is increasing today, the number of patients with cancer who can lead a healthy life for many years is increasing thanks to groundbreaking developments in diagnosis and treatment and regular screenings. Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Stating that early diagnosis plays a key role in obtaining successful results from cancer treatment, Aziz Yazar said, “We can increase the chance of early diagnosis of cancer by having regular screenings, taking into account the symptoms and applying to a doctor in a timely manner, thus increasing the chance of success in treatment. Today, many types of cancer that are diagnosed early can be cured completely or it is possible for the patient to live healthy for many years. As long as regular screenings are not interrupted, and a doctor is consulted without wasting time in cancer symptoms,” he says. Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Aziz Author told about the important signs of cancer; made suggestions and warnings!
Cough
Cough in the winter months and in the pandemic most often develops due to respiratory tract infections such as Covid-19 infection, colds and flu. In addition, reflux, some blood pressure medications, asthma and many other factors can cause coughing. But beware! Cough, which can be neglected especially in the winter months due to the thought that it is caused by an upper respiratory tract infection, can also be an important symptom of lung cancer! Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Aziz Author warns that if the cough does not subside after four weeks, especially after respiratory tract infections, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Hoarseness
Although hoarseness in winter is most often caused by respiratory tract infections such as flu and pharyngitis, many factors such as reflux and polyps, as well as smoking, can cause this problem. Hoarseness can also indicate laryngeal cancer! prof. Dr. Stating that if hoarseness lasts longer than 3-4 weeks, it is absolutely necessary to have an ear, nose and throat examination, Aziz Yazir says, “Especially in people who smoke, hoarseness causes us to think more about laryngeal cancer.”
Bleeding
Bleeding can occur in different parts of our body, and it is vital to determine the cause of this problem. Because bleeding, which can occur for many reasons, can also be a harbinger of cancer! Bleeding with vomiting suggests stomach cancer, while bloody sputum suggests lung and respiratory tract cancer. Bleeding in the urinary tract can also develop due to bladder, ureter and kidney cancer. In addition to these, rectal, in other words, rectal bleeding can occur as a result of intestinal cancer, and vaginal bleeding can occur as a result of cervical or uterine cancer. Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. "Of course, cancer is not the only cause of bleeding, but cancer should be kept in mind in such cases," says Aziz Yazar.
Weight loss
Weight loss can be caused by many reasons. If weight loss occurs without dieting to lose weight and this problem is accompanied by loss of appetite, the underlying factor may be kidney failure, liver disease, chronic bronchitis, overworking of the thyroid, diabetes and intestinal malabsorption. prof. Dr. Aziz Author says that besides these factors, weight loss can also be a symptom of cancer and says, "Weight loss is not specific to a particular cancer, but is a symptom that can be seen in many types of cancer."
Pain
Pain works like our body's alarm system and indicates that something is wrong. Pain can be an important symptom of cancer as well as many other diseases. Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Aziz Author, emphasizing that the area of pain varies according to the type of cancer, continues as follows: “Especially if weight loss accompanies persistent abdominal pain; may suggest cancer of the stomach, large intestine, or pancreas. Pain in the chest wall can be caused by lung cancer or lung cancer (mesothelioma). Headaches that do not go away can indicate brain tumors. Bone pain, which has developed recently, does not go away and remains constant in the same place, may occur due to the spread of cancer.
skin changes
Fluffy or, on the contrary, collapsed formations on the skin, especially in sun-exposed areas, are evaluated in terms of skin cancer. Squamous cell and basal cell cancers, which are the most common cancers of the skin, show themselves with such symptoms. Melanoma, which is the most important cancer of the skin, mostly occurs in moles. Melanoma should be suspected if the symmetry of the moles is disturbed, the color change (it becomes mottled), the mole edge becomes irregular, the mole becomes watery (ulcer) and the mole diameter enlarges.
difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing; It can be caused by reasons such as iron deficiency anemia, achalasia, infection and diverticulum, or cancer can be the source of the problem. Cancers that can cause difficulty in swallowing include esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pharyngeal cancer and cancers that press on the esophagus from the outside (lung cancer, lymphoma, thymoma). Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor in newly developing swallowing difficulties.
swellings
Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Stating that all kinds of swelling noticed in the body should be taken into consideration and a doctor should be consulted without wasting time, Aziz Yazıcı said, “Swelling can develop in the mouth, muscles, bones, skin, breast or testicles, depending on the type of cancer. For example, a newly formed mass in the breast suggests breast cancer. Swelling in the testicles in men can also be a sign of testicular cancer. While swelling in the mouth indicates oral cancer, swelling on the skin can be a sign of skin cancer, and swelling in the muscles can be a sign of sarcoma.
non-healing wounds
It is of great importance that the wounds that take a long time to heal or that do not heal in our body should be examined and followed up. The reason for this is that non-healing wounds on the skin can be caused by skin cancer as well as diabetes. In addition, wounds that develop and grow in the form of aphthae in the mouth and do not heal can also indicate intraoral cancer.
Anemia (Anemia)
Anemia, in other words anemia, is a very common disease in our country. It is caused by many reasons and is most commonly caused by iron deficiency. Anemia due to iron deficiency in men and postmenopausal women must be examined. Because stomach and colon cancers can show themselves first with iron deficiency anemia.
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