The trouble with detecting cancer is the rate at which it grows. Cancers grow exponentially, doubling in size with each duplication process. One cell becomes two, then four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, and so on. This initial, or silent period, may take months or years to progress and there is no lump or mass as evidence of cancerous activity. Even after 20 doublings, when about one million cells are present, the abnormal cell mass is too small to be felt or detected.
By the time a lump can be felt through pressure symptoms or bleeding, or detected through methods such as x-ray, it is usually 1 cm in diameter, has doubled 30 times, and contains about 1 billion cells. At this point, some of the following symptoms (reflected in the American Cancer Society's list of Seven Early Warning Signals), although usually subtle, can appear -- they are an indication of not only the presence of a tumour, but also that the cell mass has invaded surrounding tissue:
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- A sore that does not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
- Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
- Obvious change in wart or mole
- Nagging Cough or hoarseness
Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean that you have cancer. However, early detection of cancer is key -- the American Cancer Society estimates that 170,000 or more deaths from cancer in the United States per year could have been prevented through early detection. In other words, do not hesitate to consult your naturopath or other health practitioner if any of these symptoms arise.
Additional Detection Methods
Breast Self-Exam
For women, a self-examination of the breasts is important on a monthly basis. Examine your breasts at the same point during your menstrual cycle, while avoiding your menstrual period, when your breasts may swell and become tender and lumpy. Your breasts will also become larger and more firm during pregnancy, as your body prepares for breastfeeding.
If you notice a lump or thickening in your breast tissue, have it examined as soon as possible. Most of the time it is just fibrocytic changes that occur in your breasts, which is of no cause for concern. Other signs include a change in the skin of the breast, such as dimpling or puckering, retraction of the nipple, or nipple discharge. There may also be redness or swelling and your lymph nodes located in the armpits may be enlarged. Chronic fatigue often occurs with rapidly progressing cancers of any type.
Stool Testing Kit
A kit, which can be purchased at most drug stores, can detect if there is any blood in the stool -- a possible sign of colon cancer. One test involves dropping a piece of chemically-treated paper into the toilet bowl, which will then change colour if any blood is present in the stool. Do not panic though: conditions such as ulcers, fissures, hemorrhoids, and various digestive disorders will produce the same symptom.
If the test turns out positive, consult your naturopath or other health practitioner to rule out the presence of cancer and to determine the possible causes of your condition. For men, it is important to check for testicular cancer on a monthly basis. Carefully check for hard lumps or nodules, preferably after a warm bath or shower, when the scrotal skin is relaxed. Other warning signs of testicular cancer include pain in the lower abdomen or groin, discomfort in your testicle(s), and enlargement or tenderness of the breasts.
Physical Checkup
A good physical examination should include a thorough and systematic search throughout your body for signs of abnormalities, including the possible presence of cancer. Areas containing lymph nodes (such as in the neck, armpits and groin) are prone to malignant growths and should be carefully examined. The prostate gland should be examined for men (through probing the rectum with a gloved finger) and the breasts for women. The abdomen should be carefully pushed to detect possible abnormalities in abdominal organs, especially the liver and spleen. Examinations of the pelvic area for women are essential in detecting cancers of the cervix, uterus, and ovaries.
Blood Tests
Suspicions of cancer may lead to blood tests, which can reveal elevated levels of certain chemicals if a specific cancer is present. For instance, elevated alkaline phosphate levels may indicate bone or liver cancer, while excess prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) is a sign of prostate cancer.
Imaging Techniques
X-rays, through passing a small dose of electromagnetic radiation through a specific area of the body and onto a film, can help your doctor determine whether cancer is present. Until recently, x-rays were the only imaging techniques used and surgeons would have to open up your body to take a better look if x-rays we unable to generate the necessary images.
Nuclear scans involve using radioactive isotopes to produce images on film.
Angiography is a useful way to study blood vessels in specific parts of your body.
Computed Tomography (CT) scans involve a greater exposure to radiation but provide far better imaging than x-rays. They are useful when cancer is strongly suspected.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields to produce images on screen. Absolutely no x-rays are involved and this procedure generates very precise imaging. However, the magnetic field can interfere with patients who have implanted devices such as pacemakers.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to enter your body and presents an image on screen without the need for x-rays and the procedure is completely non-invasive.
Other Detection Methods
Endoscopy involves the use of thin telescopes to look inside body cavities with natural openings. For instance, a bronchoscope, when inserted into the mouth and down the windpipe, is a quick procedure often used to detect the presence of lung cancer.
Cytological Studies involve the study of cells from suspected cancerous areas. Cells are scraped and removed, and then analyzed under a microscope. During a Pap smear, the cervix is scraped and brushed to analyze potentially cancerous cells.
Bone marrow analysis is used to determine the presence of bone cancer and the spread of other cancers. In this procedure, a syringe is inserted into the bone and a small amount of liquid bone marrow is extracted for analysis.
Biopsies involve surgically removing a section, or the entire tumour for analysis.
