The most common type of cancer also known as Carcinomas includes prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal also known as bowel or colon cancer.
Over the last few decades, the mortality rate from cancer declined by 29% in the U.S., according to the latest figures from the ACS. That, the ACS’s new research evaluates, saved 2.9 million lives from 1991 to 2017, largely owing to declines in mortality from the four leading cancer types: lung, breast, prostate, and colon.
However, there are, not just one, many reasons why the death rate has declined. But the main reasons were knowing about Cancer and its symptoms that helped most people to seek medical attention timely.
In an exclusive interview, Professor Karol Sikora on ITV’s This Morning show said: “This is a really good time if you’re worried about symptoms, get it sorted.”
Cancer cells, within 3 to 6 months, begin to spread around the body and when it reaches local lymph nodes, survival rates come down to 80%, he warned.
And we delay it any further, the survival rate dramatically drops to 20%.
“Any sort of cancer has progressive symptoms,” said Professor Sikora, meaning the symptoms get worse, not better.
He advised if “anything persists for two weeks, go see a doctor” – but what are the symptoms?
There are four main types of cancer that account for around 70 percent of cases: bowel, prostate, breast and lung cancer.
Lung cancer
Professor Sikora listed three progressive symptoms of lung cancer to be aware of:
- Coughing
- Repeated chest infections
- Blood in sputum
According to the CDC, other symptoms of Lung cancer may include.
- Coughing that gets worse or doesn’t go away.
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Wheezing.
- Coughing up blood.
- Feeling very tired all the time.
- Weight loss with no known cause.
Colorectal is also known as bowel or colon cancer
As for colon cancer, Professor Sikora said that any “unusual” bowel changes persisting for a week or two should be checked out. This includes:
- Blood in poo
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
The US agency says, if you are having any of below symptoms, you must see your doctor on priority.
- A change in bowel habits.
- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
- Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away.
- Losing weight and you don’t know why.
Prostate cancer
Moving on to prostate cancer, Professor Sikora said the need to urinate “more frequently” could be indicative of a tumor.
This is especially true if you need to get up during the night to urinate, although this can become a “natural habit” as people get older.
It could be a sign of an enlarged prostate gland, but sometimes it could be cancer, so “get it checked”.
According to the agency, If you see any of the following symptoms, be sure to see your doctor without any further delay:
- Difficulty starting urination.
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder completely.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away.
- Painful ejaculation.
Breast cancer
Professor Sikoralisted five main symptoms of breast cancer to be aware of:
- A new lump or thickening in your breast or underarm (armpit)
- A change in size, shape, or feel of your breast
- Skin changes in the breast such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin
- Fluid leaking from the nipple in a woman who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding
- Pain in any area of the breast
Some warning signs of breast cancer are, according to the CDC include:
- New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
- Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
- Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
- Pain in any area of the breast.