Beat cancer by catching it early

Every year, more than 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer. Nearly 40 percent of us will receive a cancer diagnosis during our lifetime. Although some form of cancer is likely to affect you or a loved one, you can take steps now to catch signs of the disease and increase your chances of living a long, healthy life.

Early Detection

Detecting cancer early is key to outliving the disease. These days, doctors can offer myriad treatments for many types of cancer, but the earlier you start treatment, the higher your chance of beating the disease.

You have two ways of detecting cancer early. The first is by following your doctor’s recommendations for cancer screenings. Most adults over 65 should continue getting colonoscopies and most women should continue to receive mammograms. Your doctor may have other recommendations for screenings based on your health history. Regular doctor’s visits can help you stay on top of your screening schedule, so make sure you’re attending all your regularly scheduled visits.

The other way to catch cancer early is to watch out for early warning signs of cancer. Although cancer can cause a wide range of symptoms, there are some common symptoms that you should get checked out.

Early Warning Signs

Some early warning signs of cancer include:

• Feeling unusually fatigued. Everyone gets tired once in a while, but if you’re feeling more tired than you usually do and don’t know why, talk to you doctor about this new symptom.
• Losing a lot of weight. If you suddenly shed pounds without changes to your diet or exercise schedule, this may be a sign of something serious.
• Unusual lumps or bumps. Common areas for tumors to appear include the breasts and testicles, but if you notice something strange anywhere on your body, mention it to your health care team.
• Changes in urination or bowel movements. If you notice blood in your urine or stool, or if you find you’re using the bathroom much more or less often, it’s time to check in with your doctor.
• Night sweats or fever. If you’re waking up in the middle of the night feeling ill, this might be an indication that something is wrong.
• Unexplained pain or soreness. Backaches or other strange soreness may be your body’s way of alerting you to a serious problem.
• Any other usual changes to your body. It’s essential to take time to check in with your body so you notice anything unusual. Whether it’s a weird mark or a strange new feeling, mention it to your doctor. It may be nothing – or it may be something serious. Either way, speaking with a professional can help you get early treatment or simply ease your mind.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you’re unsure of whether you are due for a cancer screening – or if you experience any unexplained or unusual changes to your body – talk to your doctor. Early detection of cancer is key to increasing your chances of survival and helping you live for years to come.
As you’re looking forward to a healthy future, make sure you take the time to plan for the unexpected. Life Care Funding can help you plan for your future by helping you tackle the complicated questions of long term care. Reach out to an expert today with your concerns!