Beemouse Laboratories

I had to write this up for some homework tonight, and thought I would share. It’s a quick little thing about early warning signs of cancer.

This isn’t a comforting list, because a lot of these symptoms also accompany chronic disease, but it’s better to be aware of them and get them checked out, than to ignore them! If you are prone to ignoring your state of health because you find doctor visits unpleasant, you will just have to get over it– take care of yourself for the people you love and who love you back. If you don’t, I will rap the backs of your lazy-ass knuckles with my medical assistant stick of authority!!

The mnemonic “CAUTION” can be used to remember some early warning signs of cancer: Change in bowel or bladder habits; A sore that does not heal; Unusual bleeding or discharge; Thickening, lumps, or changes in the shape of the testicles or breasts; Indigestion or difficulty swallowing; Obvious change in a wart or mole; and a Nagging cough or hoarseness of the voice.

You should be alert for changes in your bowel habits (for example, changes in the color, consistency, size, and shape of stools) or a change in bladder function. Constipation and diarrhea over a period of time could be a sign of colon cancer. Be alert for signs of blood in the stool (it can appear as obvious red blood, or if the bleeding is high up in the intestines, it will be digested and appear as dark/tarry areas of stool). Blood in the urine looks like reddish-yellow or dark red urine.

You should be alert for sores that do not heal (for example, a sore in the mouth, or white patches on the mouth and tongue). Since cancer cells are not bound strongly to each other, cancers tend to be fragile and bleed easily. Cancers may grow into blood vessels, causing the vessels to rupture. Watch out for blood in your phlegm, stool, and urine.

Gastrointestinal changes can be cancer warning signs. Take note of persistent diarrhea or constipation, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, pain after eating, or frequently feeling full, even after eating only a small meal. Also take note if you have a persistent cough or hoarse throat, or having trouble swallowing. If any of these are chronic, inexplicable problems, see your doctor.

When looking at skin, keep an eye out for changes in the color, size or appearance of moles, freckles, and warts. Other skin signs that can indicate cancer are darker looking skin (hyperpigmentation), yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), and reddened skin (erythema).

Jen’s primitive nasal speculum, 2007