Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the western world. A diagnosis that is, above all, correct and done quickly can literally save lives. After all, the sooner the disease is found, the higher the chance of survival.
What Is Cancer?
To know what we are talking about, it might also be useful to know what cancer actually is. Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of tissues through continuous cell division. More understandably translated, this means that healthy cells in our body begin to split, creating a tissue that often ends up in a tumor or tumor. There are different types, but the external characteristics are often the same.
The First Stage
During the first phase of the condition, there are usually no visible symptoms. Palpable nodules also usually remain well hidden. Although an internal tumor is not visible, it will eventually be discovered anyway. A tumor continues to grow, putting pressure on certain limbs and nerves, resulting in a lot of pain. 
When the tumor invades the blood vessels, it can also cause internal bleeding there. However, a patient will experience the most pain when a tumor begins to disrupt the function of organs or systems in the body.
The Caution List
Detecting cancer is therefore not always easy, especially not in the first phase when there is usually no external tumor (yet). Of course, only a doctor can diagnose whether or not someone has cancer, it just comes down to making it fast enough. For that reason, it does not hurt to know the signals that the body sends when it has cancer.
In the medical world, there are seven signals that can point in the direction of cancer or another dangerous disease. The list of the seven signals was drawn up by the American Cancer Society. This league arranged the signals in such a way that the word CAUTION arose, OPPPEAST in Dutch. The list goes like this:
- Change in bowel or habits bladder.
- Sorry, that doesn’t heal.
- U normal bleeding or discharge.
- Thinking or lump in the breast, testicles, or elsewhere.
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing.
- Obvious change in the size, color, shape, or thickness of a wart, mole, or mouth sore.
- Nagging cough or hoarseness.
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Signal 1: C.
Changes in bowel and bladder habits can look harmlessly like diarrhea or bladder infections, but they can also be different. This can show, among other things, that you have bowel or bladder cancer.
Signal 2: A.
A wound that has been sustained for a long time but does not want to heal is not a good thing anyway and must always be treated. After all, infections can begin to occur. But much worse, it can also indicate cancer.
Signal 3: U.
Unusual bleeding should immediately ring a bell. If you urinate blood or have blood in your stool, don’t wait any longer to contact a doctor.
Signal 4: T.
A nodule is the most well-known sign of cancer. With any unusual appearance of thickening or growth in the breast or testicles, it is advisable to contact a doctor. Of course, it never hurts to have other growths checked in other places.
Signal 5: I.
The I of indigestion. If the food has not been digested properly for several days, something is probably wrong. If someone also has a hard time swallowing their food, it is completely wrong. It is again the message to contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Signal 6: U.
Many people have warts, birthmarks, or mouth sores. It is important to keep an eye on these because any change in color, size, shape, or thickness of these can be a sign of cancer.
Signal 7: N.
Persistent hoarseness can make you feel like you have a cold or the flu. If this continues, however, it is more likely that this person is burdened with throat cancer.
Other signals
The CAUTION list contains the most important signals for cancer. However, make no mistake, there are also some other signs that often seem much less serious than one might think at first sight
Headache
If someone has been suffering from headaches for a long time, there is of course something wrong. A prolonged headache may indicate a brain tumor. The message is to contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Weight
Cancer patients usually lose an incredible amount of weight. Spectacular weight loss in a short period of time is therefore usually an indication of a person having cancer. However, other diseases may also be associated with it, but this is not normal anyway.
Bones
If you experience chronic bone pain, it is best to see a doctor. Marrowbone cancer is very painful and difficult to cure. A quick diagnosis is very important.
Tired
Constant fatigue can also be a sign of cancer. This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and lethargy. However, these symptoms can also indicate several other diseases.
Infections
When new infections appear regularly, or the same ones over and over again, there may also be cancer. Don’t worry, this can also be very harmless. However, contacting the doctor is recommended.
Fever
Those who constantly suffer from fever may also have cancer. Usually, this fever will be constant and will not go away or it will come sometimes but the fever is very severe.
Don’t take any chances
Be aware of the dangers and the signals, so you can recognize cancer the fastest. If necessary, be sure to contact your doctor. A final diagnosis will still have to be made by him. That is why it is important that you communicate all your ailments to him. Of course, we also have to put everything into perspective, everyone can experience any of these symptoms at some point.
Danger only arises when one or more of them last several days. When you catch it early and it is indeed cancer, your chance of survival is a lot higher. Unfortunately, the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’ cannot be applied to cancer. However, a study has shown that one aspirin per day dramatically reduces cancer mortality,
