"More shocking than the diagnosis is that it may have been prevented. Be sure to have routine healthy-visit check-ups, so you stay that way!"
Justin Maykel
Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery, UMass Memorial Medical Center
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C.A.U.T.I.O.N.
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Common Symptoms and Signs of Cancer
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Change in mole or new skin lesions - A mole with irregular shapes or borders, uneven distribution of color or new growth in a mole larger than 1/4 inch, a change in texture, itching, oozing or bleeding.
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Abnormal discharge from any external opening in your body including your nose, eyes, ears, mouth, vagina, anus, sweat glands, and nipples.
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Unilateral pain and swelling in one knee or shoulder but not the other
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Tumor / bulge / bump / lump anywhere
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Increasing lymph gland - Swollen lymph nodes may be felt in your neck, groin, and armpit, under your jaw and chin, behind your ears or on the back of your head.
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Obstinate fatigue, lethargy - Feeling tired most of the time and your energy does not seem to come back. Don't be too quick to blame your busy schedule. And no you are not a "wimp" if you are worried about fatigue.
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Neurologic deficit - A decrease in brain, spinal cord, muscle, or nerve function such as an inability to speak, numbness or tingling, loss of balance, weakness, visual changes, abnormal reflexes, incessant headache and intractable vomiting.
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Source: Archie Bleyer, MD
Medical Director, Clinical Research, St. Charles Regional Cancer Center, Bend, Oregon
Clinical Research Professor, Oregon Health and Science University
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Director, Aflac/CureSearch Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Research
