Cancer and Prevention
Warnings signs of cancer CAUTION
C
Change in bowel habits
- Blood in stool is a warning!
- Occult blood means youu00a0 can’t see it- very important indicator that there is a tumor
- Needs to get a colonoscopy starting at 45 y/o
A
A sore that doesn't heal
- Skin cancer, oral cancer
- ABCDE to assess spots/moles on skin
- Asymmetryu21d2asymmetrical
- Bordersu21d2uneven borders
- Coloru21d2different-uneven colors on a mole
- Diameteru21d2bigger than 6mm (a pencil eraser)
- Evolvingu21d2changing in shape, color, border, diameter
U
Unusual Discharge
- From any secreting area
- Mouth
- Reproductive organ
- Rectum
- etc.
T
Thickening
- Lumps on breast or testicles
I
Indigestion/Difficulty Swallowing
- Can’t swallow u21d2 thick esophageal tumors
- Esophageal reflux for many yearsu21d2 more at risk for GI tumors
O
Obvious changes in mole or sore
Changes in elevation, size, color, shape etc u21d2 sign of skin cancer.
N
Nagging Cough
A cough that last > 4 weeks u21d2 lung cancer
Constitutional Signs of Cancer
- Unintentional weight loss
- Recurrent infections
- Shortness of Breath
- Unexplained low grade fevers
- Unexplained fatigue
Cancer Prevention
Avoid carcinogens/Prevent exposure:
- Sunscreen
- No smoking
- Use PPE in work environment to prevent asbestos exposure
- Maintain healthy diet: Avoidu00a0 animal fat & red meat, nitrates (lunch meats, sausage, bacon). Avoid Alcohol.
- Safe sex: prevent cervical cancer
- Treat H.Pylori since it can cause stomach cancer
- Remove moles to prevent skin cancer
- Remove colon polyps to prevent colon cancer
- Vaccination: Gardasil to prevent HPV and cervical cancer
u00a0
Regular screening: yearly mammogram, Colonoscopy at 45, yearly fecal occult blood for adults of all ages.
Yearly prostate-specific (PSA) test and digital rectal exam
- Follow up exams: to detect cancer that is metastasizing
- Rehabilitation
- Palliative Care
What to eat to prevent cancer
- Brown & whole grains (high fiber)
- Fruits
- Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and cabbage
- Vitamin A (apricots,u00a0 carrots, leafy green and yellow vegetables
- Vitamin C (fresh fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits.
- Low fat, low salt, low sugar diet