Cancer is a disease everyone knows; no matter if you personally have been affected or not, or have even just heard of different types of cancer, everyone is familiar with the word. However, just because you know about Cancer, it does not mean you know how to spot it. Spotting Cancer in your body within the early stages, is of the utmost importance, and can increase chances of survival as the Cancer can try to be cured earlier rather than later.
Knowing your body, and exploring it is very personal, and is mostly discovered within the teenage years, when puberty has hit and your body is changing in every way shape or form; your limbs will grow, your weight will change and this can cause other changes too. However, this is not to say that if you do spot a change, you have cancer! That is not the case at all, but as young people we need to ensure we are constantly looking after and looking out for our bodies.
I had a very important, and informative assembly at school one morning last month, given by According to a young girl named Ellen from the Teenage Cancer Trust, who had her own battle with cancer, there are 5 possible signs of cancer; ‘L.U.M.P.S’
L – LUMPS, BUMPS, SWELLINGS;
The lumps, bumps and/or swellings can appear anywhere on your body, however if you have fallen and caused an injury, this has not given you cancer! Any of the three have to be persistent, and also unexpected and unexplained; if you do gain any unexpected moles, ensure to see and check everything is okay with your doctor!
U – UNEXPLAINED TIREDNESS
Despite a good night sleep, if you and your body is still very fragile, and tired, this could be a sign of Cancer. This does not mean not having a good night sleep, or not being able to get out of bed before school, but meaning you are constantly sleeping or feeling sleepy.
M – MOLE CHANGES
Mole changes are a huge giveaway to the disease and if spotted early, can be checked as soon as possible by your Doctor! However, these changes have to include the mole’s colour, texture, size and shape, so therefore there is no need to be worried if a mole just appears! They’re natural! Keep an eye on old moles, and where they are on your body, as well as new ones that may appear, for example, under the sun. Sun cream is a great protector!
P – PAIN
This does not mean any type of pain, from grazing your knee to breaking your arm; the pain has to firstly be very extreme, and persistent, it not going away even when painkillers are taken. This a sign that a trip to the doctor may be in order.
S – SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT CHANGE
Weight chance is often experienced within the teenage years, and that is why it is important to keep track of your weight and to ensure you are not losing or gaining significant amounts at a time; this could be a sign of cancer, as long as it isn’t affected by exercise, your diet or any medication you may be taking.
Just remember; all of these are normal and do not mean you have cancer! All of these signs have to be matched with persistence, extremeness and have to be unexplained! If you are really not sure, it wastes no time going to get checked out at your doctors! Keep searching and knowing your body, especially in the shower as this is the best time to see any moles already on your body, or to notice any weight loss/gain.
I found the information, and assembly very helpful and beneficial for me in the short and long run; Sharing this information could save someones life! So also remember to keep these signs in the back of your mind, checking your body frequently and to always go to the doctor’s when you think you need to! It waste’s nobodies time, yet helps and benefits you massively. Thank you to Ellen, and to the Teenage Cancer Trust page. If you want or need anymore information, don’t hesitate to visit the website! All information credit goes to them, with the use of this YouTube video from the Teenage Cancer Trust Team as well.
