Cancer - General Thread
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 10:11 am
There's been a bit of discussion lately about prostate cancer. I thought I'd just start a thread as a reminder about general cancer checks.
SKIN CANCER
It's a good idea to check in the mirror for any lumps, bumps, moles, red spots or sores that don't heal. Having your partner check for you is good as well. A general agreement to mention anything each other sees is good as well. Many skin cancers are found by a spouse. The yearly "get naked" and have a dermatologist check from head to toe exam isn't fun but, it can save your life. Skin biopsies aren't fun either - yet, they are more fun than cancer that has spread. I've had a couple of skin cancers removed. It is
THYROID CANCER
Ask your doctor for a "neck check" every visit. Although thyroid cancer is more common in women than men, it can occur in either gender. If you've had more dental work (and thus x-rays) than normal, it's even more important. You a do a SELF CHECK for lumps in your neck. Just take a sip of water, hold it in your mouth, look in the mirror, lean your head back and swallow. Or put your fingers around your Adam's apple and swallow. Still, a neck check from a doctor is best.
BREAST CANCER
Self-check by both women and men is important. A doctor should check but, they get busy and don't always. A man with gynecomastia (enlarged breast) is more prone. Again, anyone can get breast cancer. A shower card is a good idea to remind you to check.
TESTICULAR CANCER
Self-check is really important. Most doctors don't do the "turn your head and cough" test unless it's an initial visit or if the guy mentions an issue.
ORAL CANCER
If you are under 25 years old an HPV vaccine is recommended. Any sores, lumps, bumps or red spots should be reported to your doctor. When you brush your teeth stick out your tongue and give it a good look. Also, look in the back of your throat for anything that doesn't look right. If caught early, it's an easy fix.
ESOPHAGEAL / STOMACH CANCER
This one takes an endoscopy to check out. Talk to your doctor about risk factors. Heartburn (GERD) can lead to cancer in the esophagus.
COLON / RECTAL CANCER
HPV Vaccine for those under 25. Depending on family history, a colonoscopy is normally done every 5 to 10 years starting at a certain age. The procedure is easy - the preparation the night before isn't fun. However, the first symptom of colon or rectal cancer is normally death. So, best to have it checked out.
CERVICAL CANCER
HPV Vaccine if you are under 25. Otherwise, it's that fun pap smear and exam. Being a man, I can't say how the exam feels but, I have members of my family alive today because they went annually and it was found early.
PROSTATE CANCER
There is some controversy over PSA tests and the resulting increase in biopsies. Some prostate cancer grows so slowly that you'd have to live to 300 years old before it would kill you. Other prostate cancer grows very fast. I can't answer the question about the need for PSA or biopsy. However, I have men in my family alive today who had their prostate removed after a biopsy came back positive for cancer. Was the prostatectomy really needed? I don't know but, I'm glad they are still alive.
OTHER CANCERS
Don't ignore pain, swelling or other unexplained symptoms. I hate going to the doctor and am as guilty as anyone of planning to tell my doctor about an odd symptom I'm having and then saying nothing. I've had MRI, CT Scans and ultrasounds because I mentioned an odd pain here or there. So, sometimes I just don't mention what's happening. But, I shouldn't do that and I know it. Mostly, it's turned out to be nothing - but, I've also had some "finds" (some not cancer) that I'm now glad are taken care of.
I'm not a doctor. So, take this as coming from a non-medical person. Stay healthy.
SKIN CANCER
It's a good idea to check in the mirror for any lumps, bumps, moles, red spots or sores that don't heal. Having your partner check for you is good as well. A general agreement to mention anything each other sees is good as well. Many skin cancers are found by a spouse. The yearly "get naked" and have a dermatologist check from head to toe exam isn't fun but, it can save your life. Skin biopsies aren't fun either - yet, they are more fun than cancer that has spread. I've had a couple of skin cancers removed. It is
THYROID CANCER
Ask your doctor for a "neck check" every visit. Although thyroid cancer is more common in women than men, it can occur in either gender. If you've had more dental work (and thus x-rays) than normal, it's even more important. You a do a SELF CHECK for lumps in your neck. Just take a sip of water, hold it in your mouth, look in the mirror, lean your head back and swallow. Or put your fingers around your Adam's apple and swallow. Still, a neck check from a doctor is best.
BREAST CANCER
Self-check by both women and men is important. A doctor should check but, they get busy and don't always. A man with gynecomastia (enlarged breast) is more prone. Again, anyone can get breast cancer. A shower card is a good idea to remind you to check.
TESTICULAR CANCER
Self-check is really important. Most doctors don't do the "turn your head and cough" test unless it's an initial visit or if the guy mentions an issue.
ORAL CANCER
If you are under 25 years old an HPV vaccine is recommended. Any sores, lumps, bumps or red spots should be reported to your doctor. When you brush your teeth stick out your tongue and give it a good look. Also, look in the back of your throat for anything that doesn't look right. If caught early, it's an easy fix.
ESOPHAGEAL / STOMACH CANCER
This one takes an endoscopy to check out. Talk to your doctor about risk factors. Heartburn (GERD) can lead to cancer in the esophagus.
COLON / RECTAL CANCER
HPV Vaccine for those under 25. Depending on family history, a colonoscopy is normally done every 5 to 10 years starting at a certain age. The procedure is easy - the preparation the night before isn't fun. However, the first symptom of colon or rectal cancer is normally death. So, best to have it checked out.
CERVICAL CANCER
HPV Vaccine if you are under 25. Otherwise, it's that fun pap smear and exam. Being a man, I can't say how the exam feels but, I have members of my family alive today because they went annually and it was found early.
PROSTATE CANCER
There is some controversy over PSA tests and the resulting increase in biopsies. Some prostate cancer grows so slowly that you'd have to live to 300 years old before it would kill you. Other prostate cancer grows very fast. I can't answer the question about the need for PSA or biopsy. However, I have men in my family alive today who had their prostate removed after a biopsy came back positive for cancer. Was the prostatectomy really needed? I don't know but, I'm glad they are still alive.
OTHER CANCERS
Don't ignore pain, swelling or other unexplained symptoms. I hate going to the doctor and am as guilty as anyone of planning to tell my doctor about an odd symptom I'm having and then saying nothing. I've had MRI, CT Scans and ultrasounds because I mentioned an odd pain here or there. So, sometimes I just don't mention what's happening. But, I shouldn't do that and I know it. Mostly, it's turned out to be nothing - but, I've also had some "finds" (some not cancer) that I'm now glad are taken care of.
I'm not a doctor. So, take this as coming from a non-medical person. Stay healthy.
TopManFL I have to disagree with you on Colon/Rectal Cancer. The first symptom is bloody or black stool. I know because I had it ,Colon Cancer.