Cancer Symptoms Most Often Ignored

Annual checkups and tests such as colonoscopies and PSA assays are important, but it’s not a good idea to rely on tests alone to protect you from cancer.

It’s just as important to listen to your body and notice anything that’s different, odd, or unexplainable. 
 
(You should also listen to those close to you, such as a wife or partner, because others sometimes notice things we’re unaware of–or don’t want to admit.)

You don’t want to join the ranks of cancer patients who realize too late that symptoms they’d noticed for a long time could have sounded the alarm earlier, when cancer was easier to cure.

 

1. Upset stomach or stomachache 
One of the first signs colon cancer patients remember experiencing when they look back is unexplained stomach aches.

Those with pancreatic cancer describe a dull ache that feels like it’s pressing inward.

Many liver cancer patients say they went in complaining of stomach cramps and upset stomachs so frequently that their doctors thought they had ulcers. Liver cancer patients and those with leukemia can experience abdominal pain resulting from an enlarged spleen, which may feel like an ache on the lower left side.

If you have a stomachache that you can’t attribute to a digestive problem or that doesn’t go away, ask your doctor to order an ultrasound.

Finding a liver or pancreatic tumour early can make all the difference in treatment. 

 
2. Chronic “acid stomach” or feeling full after a small meal The most common early sign of stomach cancer is pain in the upper or middle abdomen that feels like gas or heartburn. It may be aggravated by eating, so that you feel full when you haven’t actually eaten much. What’s particularly confusing is that the pain can be relieved by antacids, confirming your conclusion that it was caused by acid in the stomach, when it’s more than that.

An unexplained pain or ache in lower right side can be the first sign of liver cancer, known as one of the “silent killers.” 

Feeling full after a small meal is a common sign of liver cancer as well. If you have frequent bouts of acid stomach, an unexplained abdominal ache, or a full feeling after meals even when you’re eating less than normal, call your doctor. 

3. Unexplained weight loss  If you notice the pounds coming off and you haven’t made changes to your diet or exercise regime, it’s important to find out why. Unexplained weight loss can be an early sign of colon and other digestive cancers; it can also be a sign of cancer that’s spread to the liver, affecting your appetite and the ability of your body to rid itself of waste. 

 
4. Jaundice  Pancreatic cancer, another one of the “silent killers,” is often discovered when someone notices jaundice and asks the doctor to do a battery of tests. Jaundice is most commonly thought of as a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, but darker-than- normal urine that’s not the result of dehydration is also a sign. Clay-colored stools are another little-known sign of jaundice. Oddly, jaundice can also cause itching, because the bile salts in the bloodstream cause the skin to itch.

Some people with pancreatic cancer say they noticed the itching before they noticed the jaundice itself. 

 5. Wheezing or shortness of breath  One of the first signs lung cancer patients remember noticing when they look back is the inability to catch their breath. “ I couldn’t even walk to my car without wheezing; I thought I had asthma, but how come I didn’t have it before ? ”, is how one man described it. Shortness of breath, chest pain, or spitting blood are also signs of testicular cancer that’s spread to the lungs. 

 
6. Chronic cough or chest pain  Several types of cancer, including leukemia and lung tumors, can cause symptoms that mimic a bad cough or bronchitis.

One way to tell the difference: The problems persist, or go away and come back again in a repeating cycle. Some lung cancer patients report chest pain that extends up into the shoulder or down the arm. 

 
7. Frequent fevers or infections  These can be signs of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia causes the marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells, which crowd out healthy white cells, sapping the body’s infection-fighting capabilities. Doctors sometimes catch leukemia in older adults only after the patient has been in a number of times complaining of fever, aches, and flu-like symptoms over an extended period of time. 

8. Difficulty swallowing  Most commonly associated with esophageal or throat cancer, having trouble swallowing is sometimes one of the first signs of lung cancer, too. Men diagnosed with esophageal cancer look back and remember a feeling of pressure and soreness when swallowing that didn’t go away the way a cold or flu would have. Consult your doctor also if you have a frequent feeling of needing to clear your throat or that food is stuck in your chest; either of these can signal a narrowing of the esophagus that could mean the presence of a tumor. 

 
9. Chronic heartburn If you just ate half a pizza, heartburn is expected. But if you have frequent episodes of heartburn or a constant low-level feeling of pain in the chest after eating, call your doctor and ask to be screened for esophageal cancer. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a condition in which stomach acid rises into the esophagus, causing heartburn and an acidic taste in the throat — can trigger a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which can be a precursor of esophageal cancer... 

 
 10. Swelling of facial features  Some patients with lung cancer report that they noticed puffiness, swelling, or redness in the face. The explanation for this is that small cell lung tumors commonly block blood vessels in the chest, preventing blood from flowing freely from the head and face. 

11. Swollen lymph nodes or lumps on the neck, underarm, or groin  Enlarged lymph nodes indicate changes in the lymphatic system, which can be a sign of cancer. For example, a lump or an enlarged lymph in the neck or underarm is sometimes a sign of thyroid, head, or throat cancer.

A painless lump on the neck, underarm, or groin can be an early sign of leukemia. 

12. Excessive bruising or bleeding that doesn’t stop  

This symptom usually suggests something abnormal happening with the platelets and red blood cells, which can be a sign of leukemia. One man with leukemia noticed that his gums bled when he brushed his teeth; another described bruising in strange places, such as on his fingers and hands.

The explanation: Over time, leukemia cells crowd out red blood cells and platelets, impairing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and clot.

 

 13. Weakness and fatigue  “I had to stop halfway across the yard and sit down when I was mowing the lawn,” said one man when describing the fatigue that led to his discovery of pancreatic cancer. Generalized fatigue and weakness is a symptom of so many different kinds of cancer (and other ills) that you’ll need to look at it in combination with other symptoms.

But any time, you feel exhausted without explanation and it doesn’t respond to getting more sleep, talk to your doctor.

 

 
14. Rectal bleeding or blood in stool  “I thought it was hemorrhoids” is one of the most common statements doctors hear when diagnosing colorectal cancer.

Blood in the toilet alone is reason to call your doctor and schedule a colonoscopy.

Another sign of blood in the stool many people miss is stools that are darker in color.

 

 
15. Bowel problems  Constipation, diarrhea, and changes in stools can all be signs of cancer. 
As with many other cancer symptoms, the way to tell if this is cause for concern is if it goes on for more than a few days without a clear cause, such as flu or food poisoning.

People diagnosed with colon cancer say they noticed more frequent stools, as well as a feeling that their bowels were not emptied completely.

One of the early signs of pancreatic cancer is fatty stools, which can be recognized as frequent, large stools that are paler than normal and smelly. This is a sign that your body’s not absorbing your food normally, and it should be brought to your doctor’s attention. 

 

 16. Difficulty urinating or changes in flow  Hands-down, the most common early sign of prostate cancer is a feeling of not being able to start peeing once you’re set to go. Many men also report having a hard time stopping the flow of urine, a flow that starts and stops, or a stream that’s weaker than normal. Any of these symptoms is reason to call your doctor for an exam and a screening test for prostate-specific antigen.

 

17. Pain or burning during urination  This symptom can also indicate a urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted disease, of course, but in any case it warrants an immediate trip to the doctor. This symptom is often combined with the feeling that you need to go more often, particularly at night. These same symptoms can also indicate inflammation or infection in the prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia, the name for what happens when the prostate grows bigger and blocks the flow of urine. However, you need to get checked out to tell the difference.

 

 

18. Blood in urine or semen Men are often warned about blood in the urine, but they may not realize that blood in semen is also a danger sign for prostate cancer. Blood in the urine or semen isn’t always visible as blood; urine may just be a pink, dark red, or smoky brown color, while blood in the semen may just look like a pinkish streak. 

 
19. Erection problems  As prostate cancer progresses, another very common sign is difficulty getting or sustaining an erection. This can be a difficult subject to talk about, but it’s important to bring it to your doctor’s attention. It could be a sign of sexual dysfunction with another cause, of course, but it’s a reason to have an exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. 

 
20. Pain, aching, or heaviness in the groin, hips, thighs, or abdomen  One sign of prostate cancer is frequent pain in the hips, upper thighs, or the lowest part of the back. Men with testicular cancer report noticing a heavy, aching feeling low in the belly or abdomen, or in the scrotum or testicles themselves. They sometimes describe it as a feeling of downward pulling or as a generalized ache throughout the groin area.

Prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes often makes itself known as discomfort in the pelvis or swelling in the legs. 

 

21. Testicular swelling or lump  The lumps that indicate testicular cancer are nearly always painless.

It’s also common for a testicle to be enlarged or swollen, but lacking any specific lump that you can see or feel.

Some men report feeling discomfort from the enlargement, but not an outright pain. 

 

22. Unexplained back pain  Back pain can mean all sorts of things, of course — most often pulled muscles or disc problems. But unexplained, persistent back pain can be an early sign of cancer as well, so get it checked out.

Pain in the lower back and hips can be a sign of prostate cancer, while pain in the upper back can signal lung cancer.

A pain in the upper abdomen and back is one of the few early signs of pancreatic cancer. 

 

23. Scaly or painful nipple or chest, nipple discharge Men do get breast cancer; they also get a condition called gynecomastia, which is a benign lump in the breast area. Breast cancer is usually detected as a lump, but if it’s spreading inward it can also cause chest pain.

Other signs of breast cancer include patches of red, scaly, or dimpled skin or changes to the nipple such as turning inward or leaking fluid.

Bring any lump, swelling, or skin or nipple problem, or any chest pain, to your doctor's attention. 

 

24. A sore or skin lump that doesn’t heal, becomes crusty, or bleeds easily  Most of us know how to watch moles for changes that might indicate skin cancer.

But other signs, such as small waxy lumps or dry scaly patches, are easier to miss.

Familiarize yourself with the different types of skin cancer — melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma — and be vigilant about checking skin all over the body for odd-looking growths or spots. 

 

25. Changes in nails  Unexplained changes to the fingernails can be a sign of several types of cancer.

A brown or black streak or dot under the nail can indicate skin cancer.

A newly discovered “clubbing,” which means enlargement of the ends of the fingers, with nails that curve down over the tips, can be a sign of lung cancer.

Pale or white nails can be an indication that your liver is not functioning properly, sometimes a sign of liver cancer.

 

 

STROKE: Remember the First Three Letters, S. T. R.

During  a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall -  she assured  everyone that she was fine (they  offered to call paramedics)  ....she said she had  just tripped over a brick because of her new  shoes.

They  got her cleaned up and got her a new  plate of  food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane  went  about enjoying herself the rest of the  evening.

Jane's  husband called later telling everyone that his  wife had been  taken to the hospital - (at 6:00  pm Jane passed away.) She had  suffered a stroke  at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the  signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us  today. Some don't die. They end up in a  helpless, hopeless condition  instead.

It  only takes a minute to read this.

A  neurologist says that if he can get to a  stroke  victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said  the trick was  getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the  patient  medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.   

RECOGNIZING  A STROKE

Thank  God  for the sense to remember the '3' steps,  STR. Read and  Learn!

Sometimes  symptoms of a stroke are difficult to  identify.  Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe  brain damage  when people nearby fail to  recognize the symptoms of a   stroke.

Now  doctors say a  bystander can  recognize a  stroke by asking three simple   questions:

S   *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T   *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
 (i.e. It is sunny out  today.)

R    *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS

If  he or she  has trouble with ANY ONE of these  tasks, call emergency number  immediately  and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New  Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your  Tongue
NOTE:  Another 'sign' of a stroke is this:  Ask  the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the  tongue is 'crooked' and if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a   stroke.

A cardiologist says if  everyone who gets this  e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet  that  at least one life will be saved.
      
I  have done my part. Will  you?
 

Break Out the Coconut Oil: It is Good for You

(NaturalNews) If you could make one change in your current diet which would positively affect all other areas of your life, would you do it? If you knew that just three tablespoons of a saturated fat would positively benefit your current health condition, would you take those three tablespoons of medicine?

The Secret Fountain of Youth

The secret Fountain of Youth, of health and longevity, has been located. No, it`s not actually water, but the fountain-like tree of the Coconut Palm or Cocos nucifera, which is a member of the Arecaceae family. This family also includes the famous acai fruit, dates, and other drupe fruits which are popular in tropical and subtropical regions.

Many common products and foods are derived from the palm family. In fact, all through history palms have become symbols of life, victory, peace, fertility, and sustenance. The Coconut Palm, in particular, is often called the tree of life in the many cultures which rely on it for sustenance. Virtually every part of the Coconut Palm is used for something - from roof thatch to boats, from clothing to firewood, from garden mulch to a variety of culinary uses. In Sanskrit the name is kalpa vriksha, which means "the tree which provides all the necessities of life." While those in Malay refer to it as pokok seribu guna, or "tree of a thousand uses." In the Philippines, the coconut is affectionately termed "The Tree Of Life."

Wherein Coconut is The Main Course

If a person were to take a look at the countries in which coconut oil and milk were staples of the diet, they would notice that those who have not adopted any part of a western diet are beautiful and robust. If you were to take a trip to Sri Lanka, where coconut products are used in every meal and the population consumes an average of 120 coconuts per year, you would notice the health and fitness of the inhabitants. A little more research would show you that merely one or two deaths of every 1,000 are contributed to heart disease, compared to heart disease in America, which contributes to nearly half of all deaths.

Other countries which rely heavily on coconut include most parts of India, the Philippines, and most islands of the Pacific. You would notice that these people who have not adopted the modern Western diet - which contains unsaturated margarine and vegetable oils - and who consume this saturated fat of the coconut oil also have low instances of any major illnesses. Heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and many other common complaints of the Western World are virtually nonexistent. Their secret is coconut oil.

When people of these regions have adopted the Western diet, researchers have found that the instances of these diseases became comparably close to that of Americans. In fact, a major study was performed on the remote islands of Pukapuka and Tokelau. The entire populations of these islands took part in the study. Before the study, coconut oil, milk, and meat was the main staple in the diet contributing to 60% or more of the populations` daily intake of calories from fat, while the American Heart Association only recommends that up to 30% of daily calories consumed come from fat and that no more than 10% of that fat should be saturated.

Despite this recommendation, those populations were consuming 50% of their calories are from saturated fat from coconut products. Yet, these people showed no evidence of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, or any other immunological or degenerative disease common in the Western World. In fact, atherosclerosis and arthritis were not even heard of!

When researchers had half the population in the study begin eating a Western diet, they began to develop the disease found in the Western world within days to weeks of adopting the new Western diet. When they returned to their traditional coconut-based diet, the diseases disappeared.

The Right Kind of Fat

Make no mistake; this article is not discussing hydrogenated coconut oil. Refined and/or hydrogenated coconut oil, just like other refined or hydrogenated oils, should never be consumed. Refined or hydrogenated oils of any kind contain harmful metals and toxins as well as nonmetabolizable and indigestible fats, which promote diseases. When you hear reports about studies which claim that coconut oil does raise cholesterol levels and promote heart disease, they are leaving out the crucial point that the study was done with hydrogenated coconut oil.

No, this article is discussing pure, unrefined, organic, coconut oil. Dozens of studies over the past few decades have shown that natural coconut oil, the organic extra virgin kind, has no adverse effects on cholesterol levels. In fact, researchers have found quite the opposite is true. The fact is if unrefined coconut oil was the cause of disease, then these countries which rely heavily on it would show evidence of disease. In reality, quite the opposite is true.

Bad Publicity


Unfortunately, the fallacy of the reported negative research has slipped up many reporters and by and large the misinformed writers, healthcare professionals, and the public. While the reports were accurate, the conveyed information left out that refined and hydrogenated coconut oil was used in the studies, which developed diseases in the participants. This problem is compounded because everybody recites and repeats each others` false statements. If the public and health care professionals were only to read the new research and the full reports, they would find that they were in the dark ages of nutritional knowledge. So, if you hear about negative aspects of coconut oil and product, realize that the person is misinformed and kindly do some research of your own.

On the other hand, research performed with unrefined coconut oils resulted in some amazing findings. People who consumed the unrefined and non-hydrogenated coconut oils were healthier at the end of the study than those who consumed the refined and hydrogenated coconut and/or vegetable oils or a low fat diet. Manufacturers have become so pleased with the health benefits of coconut oil that they have begun to use it as a "secret" ingredient in their baby formulas and adult nutrition formulas used in hospitals for tube feeding. Research has now confirmed that coconut oil is one of the most nutritious and healthful foods available. It is recommended to everyone, including those with health problems, to include unrefined coconut oil into their diets daily.

The Miracle Non-Nut


While coconuts are called nuts, they are not actually nuts. Rather, they are the monocot seed of the palm family. It is rare that anyone has allergies or adverse reactions to the coconut. So rare, in fact, that none have been reported. However, many report the positive reactions they have felt from the coconut. Those who have diabetes have reported lower blood sugar counts. Those which have high cholesterol have reported lowered cholesterol. Those who experience lethargy or low body temperatures have reported their energy levels rising and their body temperature normalizing.

Even those experiencing common addictions have reported quitting smoking and drinking without even realizing it. Those who suffer from obesity have reported a reduction in food cravings and astounding weight-loss of around 2 pounds per week. They claim that the weight melts right off!

How much do you need to take to receive health benefits? The recommended daily dosage is three tablespoons. Of course, you can feel free to take more than that. Coconut oil is heat-stable oil. You can cook with it, fry with it, bake with it and even eat it right out of the jar. It is a delicious butter replacement and melts easily onto your toast. It adds a delicious, light flavor to everything it complements.

Since it is solid at room temperature and liquid at body temperature, it is shelf stable for months, even years, in the right conditions. Unlike other oils, even olive oil, it does not develop cancer-causing chemicals at moderately high heat. So, go ahead, replace your butter and cooking oil. You can even replace your favorite skin cream and lotion. Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer and provides excellent health benefits both outside and in.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/025717_coconut_oil.html#ixzz1iN4fXO5j