Page 19 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - April 2018 - 25-04
P. 19
Senior Times - April 2018 Signs and Symptoms
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher, Senior Times
Page 19
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CATERING TOO
THE
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A sign is a signal that something is not right in the body. Signs are signals that can be seen by someone else such as fast breathing or sweating.
A symptom is a signal of disease, illness, injury, or that something is not right in the body. Symptoms are felt or noticed by the person who has them, but may not be easily seen by anyone else such as weakness, aches, and feeling short of breath.
Having one sign or symptom may not be enough to figure out what’s caus- ing it. Sometimes, a patient’s signs and symptoms still don’t give the doctor enough clues to figure out the cause of an illness. Then medical tests, such as x-rays, blood tests, or a biopsy may be needed.
How does cancer cause signs and symptoms? Cancer is a group of dis- eases that can cause almost any sign or symptom. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects the organs or tissues. If a cancer has spread (metas- tasized), signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body.
As a cancer grows, it can begin to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This pressure causes some of the signs and symptoms of cancer. If the cancer is in a critical area, such as certain parts of the brain, even the small- est tumor can cause symptoms.
But sometimes cancer starts in places where it will not cause any symptoms until it has grown quite large. One example is cancers in the pancreas. They usually do not cause symptoms until they grow large enough to press on near- by nerves or organs (this causes back
or belly pain). Others grow around the bile duct and block the flow of bile. This causes the eyes and skin to look yellow (jaundice). By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs or symptoms, it is usually in an advanced stage. This means it has grown and spread beyond the place it started.
A cancer may also cause symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness (fatigue), or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells use up much of the body’s energy supply, or they may release substances that change the way the body makes energy from food. Or the cancer may cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these symptoms.
Sometimes, cancer cells release sub- stances into the bloodstream that cause symptoms which are not usually linked to cancer. For example, some cancers of the pancreas can release substances which cause blood clots in veins of
the legs. Some lung cancers make hor- mone-like substances that raise blood calcium levels. This affects nerves and muscles, making the person feel weak and dizzy.
Treatment works best when cancer is found early. Finding cancer early usually means it can be treated while it is still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body.
This often means a better chance for a cure.
Sometimes people ignore symptoms. They may not know that symptoms could mean something is wrong. Or they may be frightened by what the symptoms might mean and don’t want to get medical help. Some symptoms, such as tiredness, are more likely caused by something other than cancer. But no symptom should be ignored or over- looked, especially if it has lasted a long time or is getting worse.
Sometimes, it is possible to find cancer before you have symptoms. The American Cancer Society and other health groups recommend cancer-related check-ups and certain tests for people even though they have no symptoms. This helps find certain cancers early, before symptoms start.
You should know some of the gen- eral signs and symptoms of cancer. But remember, having any of these does not mean that you have cancer – many other things cause these signs and symptoms, too. If you have any of these symptoms and they last for
a long time or get worse, please see a doctor to find out what is going on.
Additional possible signs and symp- toms include skin changes, darker looking skin, reddened skin, itching, excessive hair growth, change in bowel habits or bladder function, sores that do not heal, white patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body, indigestion or trouble swallowing, recent change in a wart or mole or any new skin change, and / or nagging cough or hoarseness.
The signs and symptoms listed here are the ones more commonly seen with cancer, but there are many others that are less common and are not listed here. If you notice any major changes in the way your body works or the way you feel – especially if it lasts for a long time or gets worse – let a doctor know. If it has nothing to do with cancer, the doctor can find out more about what’s going on and, if needed, treat it. If it is cancer, you’ll give yourself the chance to have it treated early, when treatment works best.
No matter who you are, the American Cancer Society can help. Contact them anytime, day or night, for cancer-related information and support. Call them
at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
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