Cancer occurs when some cells in the body begin to multiply uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can also travel to other organs and form tumors there. These spreads, which we call metastasis, cause death when they reach vital organs (such as brain, lung, heart, liver).
Medline Adana Hospital Internal Medicine and Oncology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Veysel Haksoyler shared important information by saying, “We should not forget that it is necessary to carefully follow the changes in the body for early diagnosis.”
SUCCESS RATES IN TREATMENT ARE INCREASING
Explaining that especially in the last 20 years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of cancer due to factors such as stressful life, obesity, environmental pollution, sedentary life, tobacco use and excessive consumption of processed foods. Dr. Haksoyler said, “However, among the reasons for this increase, more health screenings today and the advancement of technology also have an important place. “Despite this, thanks to more awareness about early diagnosis and advances in treatments, there are positive developments in the recovery rates of cancer cases,” he said.
CHANGES IN THE BODY MUST BE FOLLOWED
Assoc. Prof. stated that in addition to having regular screening tests in order not to be late in treatment by detecting cancer at an early stage, we should not overlook possible changes in our body. Dr. Haksoyler listed the three most important symptoms of cancer as follows:
1- PAIN
Pain, one of the most common warnings given by the body, can develop for many reasons. One of these reasons is cancer. Causes such as circulatory disorders due to blockage in blood vessels or pressure on the nerves of a tumor developing in the body may cause pain. Or, for example, shoulder, chest or back pain may be a symptom of lung cancer.
2- BLEEDING
Blood in the saliva or sputum immediately suggests lung cancer. This condition may also be caused by a cancer related to the upper respiratory tract. Anal blood loss may be one of the symptoms of colon cancer. While blood in the urine is among the signs of bladder, kidney or other urinary tract cancers, uterine or cervical cancer stands out among the causes of vaginal bleeding in women.
3- SWELLING
Swellings that may occur in the body are also among the important symptoms of cancer. Tumors that develop in soft tissue or bones manifest themselves with swelling. Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin may be due to lymphoma. Lymph node enlargements caused by cancer or lymphoma are usually painless.