One of my
very first cancer campaigns was “Commit to Beat Cancer” which was all about
making sure the UK has the best possible outcomes for cancer patients. I’ve
decided to go back to basics with this blog post and explain why early
diagnosis is so vital and why it could save your life.
Many of us
hate visiting the doctor. This is for a number of reasons. Many of us feel we
shouldn’t “bother” our busy GP’s with what we think of as “minor” incidents.
Some of us are also terrified of what the doctor may say or do. This needs to
change because discovering cancer early could make a huge difference as to how
you are treated and whether or not you will survive.
Lots of
people still think cancer = death. This is not true. HUGE advances have been
made and are still contining to be made every year. For example:
*More then
9/10 men with testicular cancer survive and are cured of the disease.
*More than
¾ of children are surviving cancer compared to ¼ surviving back in the 1960’s.
*The three
most common cancers in the UK are breast, bowel and lung cancer and they have
all seen their death rates drop to their lowest level in forty years.
*The number
of deaths from cancer are continuously dropping
*The number
of people surviving cancers such as prostate and skin have dramitcally improved
*The amount
of people surviving more then ten years after a cancer diagnosis has DOUBLED
over the past three decades
*The number
of people surviving more then five years after a cancer diagnosis is now HALF
of all cancer patients
*For
cancers with low overall survivial rates, early diagnosis does still mean
chances of beating the disease are higher.
Knowing
Your Body
I have said
this time and time again but knowing what is “normal” for you and your body is
massively important. Knowing what is normal makes it easier to know when
something isn’t quite right. It makes it easier to know when a consistent
change is occurring and it will hopefully lead to you seeking medical advice
quicker. Examples of getting to know your body include:
MEN – check
your testicles at least once a month. Get to know how they feel; their size,
their shape etc…..
LADIES –
Check your breasts once a month to get to know what is “normal” for you and to
check for any new and unexpected lumps, bumps and changes
EVERYONE -
It may sound crude, but get to know your toilet habits. Know what is normal for
you. Do you go twice a day or twice a week for example?
REMEMBER IF
A CHANGE LASTS MORE THEN THREE WEEKS – GET TO YOUR GP!!!!
Visiting the
Doctor
Do not EVER
worry about wasting your GP’s time. You are not. If you are genuinely concerned
about your body or your health then it is your GP’s job to check it out and
reassure you. They are there to help, they are there to provide support and they
are there to look after you. No ailment is too small!
Don’t be
too scared to visit your GP. Remember, most of the time it will be absolutely
nothing to worry about. It is ALWAYS best to get seen as soon as possible
because it is always best to catch something as early as possible. If you are
really nervous then take someone you trust with you.
Don’t ever
feel embarrassed about talking to your doctor. They have probably seen and
heard it all. They are also duty bound to keep everything confidential so whatever
happens will not leave the room. If you feel more comfortable seeing a male or
female doctor then just let the admin staff know and they will sort that out
for you. A doctor will never be shocked by what you have to say or show, they
will never laugh at you or make you feel uncomfortable – they are professionals
trained to look after you.
Don’t use
the excuse of being “too busy” to visit the doctor. Many surgeries now offer
early morning or late evening appointments to help those with full on timetables.
If you feel
you will forget all your worries and questions when you enter the doctor’s room
then try and write as much as you can down before you go. That way you can make
sure you tell them everything.
If you have
already seen the doctor but are still worried then go back and see them again!
Trust your instincts.
After Seeing the Doctor
The next step will depend on your
symptoms and whether your doctor feels you need more investigations. They may
just reassure you that things are ok and that you have nothing to worry about.
They may be able to diagnose your problem and treat it themselves with a prescription.
They may say for you to come back in a few weeks if things persist. Or they may
refer you for more tests. Whatever happens, do follow your doctor’s advice and
do get a second opinion if you feel you want/need one.
I can’t stress
just how important it is to know your body and to go to the doctor if you feel something
isn’t right. If, heaven forbid, you are diagnosed with cancer then finding it
early could mean less treatment or it could mean you are able to survive the
disease.
xxx
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