Cancer is not a single disease, but instead a family of different disease that have one characteristic in common: uncontrolled cell growth. This rapid proliferation of cells occurs at the expense of the normal body systems.
If cancer is detected early, the chances that treatment will be effective are greatly enhanced. Some cancers - lung cancer, for example, and cancer of the pancreas-are very difficult to diagnose early since they produce no noticeable symptoms until they are quite well advanced. However, many other common cancers - such as those of breast, bowel, cervix and skin – can be detected early enough for a complete cure to be possible. It is therefore very important to be aware of signs that may or may not be warning signals of cancer, and to report them promptly to the doctor if they appear.
Some of the more common warning signs of cancer include:
• Unusual bleeding or discharge.
• A lump or thickening of the flesh in the breast.
• A sore that fails to heal.
• A change in bowel habits.
• Hoarseness or chronic coughing.
• Abdominal distress or difficulty in swallowing.
• Any significant new growth on the skin, or a change in a growth, mole, or skin marking.
• Any loss of weight that can not be explained.
• Unusual bursting.
• Unexplained chronic pain, especially in the bones.
• Chronic fever.