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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.
Cancer Awareness: Early Detection Is Key
La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.
. http://www.laplatapt.com/

Cancer Awareness: Early Detection Is Key

Cancer awareness is all about early detection, education and support for people diagnosed. Early detection is the only way to decrease the mortality of a cancer diagnosis, so awareness is necessary. For women the three most common cancers are breast, lung and colorectal with breast cancer accounting for 30% of all new diagnoses. In men, it is lung cancer causing more deaths than the other cancers. With early detection there is a better survival rate.

Most lung cancers unfortunately do not cause symptoms until the disease has advanced but there are some symptoms to pay attention to that initially would not be given a second thought. These are a persistent new cough, a cough that produces blood, pain in chest, back and shoulders that worsens with coughing, a sudden shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, feeling fatigue or weak, loss of appetite and lung infections that will not go away. If you have any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Be proactive. If you receive a lung cancer diagnosis there are organizations for help and support such as, LUNGevity, Lung Cancer Alliance, and American Lung Association.

Lung cancer is prevalent in women as well but breast cancer is accounting for 30% of all new diagnoses in women. Early detection with treatment leads to the best outcome. Self-examination, medical checkups and mammograms are of the utmost importance. Self-exams are the first defense in early detection.

Symptoms to look for are lumps, breast pain, nipple discharge, recent inverted nipple, new swelling of breast, change of appearance, flaking skin or areola, pitted skin looking like an orange peel, thickened skin of breast and swollen lymph nodes. If any of these symptoms appear, again be proactive and schedule an appointment with your doctor and a mammogram will probably be scheduled. Mammograms are recommended for women ages 45-54 but are given the choice of beginning as early as 40. If something appears suspicious an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy will be ordered.

Support is necessary while going through this process. It is an emotional time so use your resources such as your family and friends. Other organizations available are Susan G. Komen Foundation, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and National Breast Cancer Foundation. These organizations are there for both education and support.

Risks overall can be lowered by living a healthy lifestyle. So, limit your alcohol, don’t smoke, exercise and keep a healthy weight. Doing these things may lower risks but continue to be proactive with your health. If you notice or feel something is out of ordinary, contact your doctor. You are your best ally.

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