| |
Early
Symptom
|
Prevention
& Early Detection
|
| Lung Cancer |
- Not obvious
or none
- Cough
- Blood stained sputum |
- Do not smoke |
| Nasopharyngeal
Carcinoma (NPC) |
- Not obvious
- Blood stained nasal discharge
- Defective hearing or partial deafness and ringing of the ear
- Painless lump in the neck |
- Do not eat
salted fish (especially the young child) |
| Liver Cancer |
- Not obvious
- Dull pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen |
- Avoid mouldy
peanut, grains and their products such as cooking oil |
| Breast Cancer |
- Painless
lump in the breast |
- Monthly self
-examination of breast |
| Stomach Cancer |
- Not obvious
- Persistent discomfort in the upper abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of body weight |
- Avoid smoked
food
- Do not smoke |
| Colon and rectum
cancer |
- Change in
bowel habit
- Blood in stool
- A lump in the abdomen |
- Eat plenty
of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Avoid too much fat in the diet |
| Cancer of the
Cervix |
- Not obvious
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge |
- Have a pap
-smear test (for cervical cells) at regular intervals |
| Cancer of the
Oesophagus |
- Difficulty
in swallowing |
- Do not smoke
- Avoid excessive alcohol |
| Cancer of the
bladder |
- Hoarseness
of voice |
- Do not smoke
- Avoid excessive alcohol |
| Skin Cancer |
- Change in
a wart or mole e.g. bleeding or enlargement
- A sore in skin that does not heal |
- Protect yourself
against too much sunlight |
Early Treatment may bring Good Prognosis
Not all cancers are incurable. But the cure rate often depends on
the time of detection. In fact, for many cancers such as cervix and
larynx, complete recovery is possible if detected early. But when
the cancer cells have already spread to other parts of the body, the
possibility of relapses would be high even if one has started treatment.
So it is important to note changes in our body. The above mentioned
symptoms do not necessarily mean cancer but they may be dangerous
warning signs. If there is any suspicion, do not hesitate or waste
your precious time in worries. Go and seek medical advice at once.
Always remember: The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance
for cure.
Source: Central Health Education Unit, Department of
Health
CT/vn/No.24 - May, 2001