Helpful Hints for Use in the Fight Against Cancer:

1.  Be knowledgeable of cancer symptoms – Do your homework early.  The fight against cancer begins with knowledge.  Prepare yourself for recognizing cancer symptoms before cancer strikes by using The Hope Light Project web site at www.hopelightproject.com to become familiar with different types of cancers and associated facts.  The Hope Light web site links to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) web site that contains a listing of each type of cancer and associated symptoms, treatment, genetics, prevention, and other information.  The Hope Light web site also contains a list of national cancer organization web sites, telephone numbers and email addresses.  Become familiar with these resources for help in making informed decisions on next actions in the event you notice a suspicious pain or sore, unusual bleeding or other body dysfunction.  The Hope Light web site also links to the NCI LiveHelp chat line if you wish to contact a cancer specialist.

2.  Know your family history of cancer types – Risk of cancer is influenced by genes inherited from parents.  People who inherit a known cancer gene may not get cancer, however, they may have a significant increased risk of developing cancer in their lifetime.  A number of genes are known to play a role in the development of some cancers to include breast, ovarian, prostate and thyroid.  It is important to research your family’s history of cancer to identify family members that had cancer to include; parents, children, siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents.  This is useful information to discuss with your physician, oncologist or genetic counselor for use in assessing the possibility of having inherited a cancer gene.  Individuals with either a personal history or a strong family history of cancer may be high-risk for cancer that could be identified through genetic testing.

3.  Document suspect cancer symptoms and family cancers for discussion with your physician or oncologist.  Effective communications between a patient and a physician is essential to obtain a proper diagnosis.  Often patients forget to mention suspect symptoms, pains, sores and other problems during office visits that may or may not be cancer related.  If this information is documented prior to the office visit in the form of a checklist, it will be easier to discuss and ensure full consideration by a physician.  Having documentation of family cancer history is also important for consideration in the diagnosis and to determine treatment options and needs for genetic counseling.  Obtain a copy of your checklist prior to the visit and provide one for the physician’s use.  Use your copy of the checklist to record important parts of the discussion.  Do not be afraid to ask questions or ask the physician to repeat or explain something you did not understand.  If possible, take a person with you to the visit to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the physician’s diagnosis and recommended next actions.  The key is to give your full attention to the physician’s explanations and ask questions when necessary to make the best use of the office visit.  If your primary care physician diagnoses you with cancer, request a referral to a medical oncologist who specializes in treating your type of cancer.

4.  Maintain routine checkups – A valuable tool to detect cancers in early stages.  In early stages, some cancers may not be apparent due to slow growth over a period of time before producing symptoms.  In some cases, the presence of cancer may not be known unless suspected based on symptoms as a result of a physical examination, or by an x-ray obtained for another reason such as a personal injury.  It is extremely important to visit a physician on a routine basis to obtain a physical examination and discuss general health and any abnormalities that may lead to the early detection of cancer.  Often a physician can find cancer or a pre-cancerous condition early during a physical exam or with routine tests even though a person has no symptoms.  If detected early, cancer could be treated and cured.

5.  Perform self-exams – Early tumor detection can lead to a cure.  Some cancers may be found early through self-exams that could lead to early detection, diagnosis, treatment and a cure.  Routine self-exams are extremely important for individuals that have not had a history of cancer and do not have routine checkups.  Self-exams should never be relied upon as the single means of cancer detection nor replace a professional medical exam.  Any changes observed during a self-exam should be discussed with a physician immediately.  In some cases, cancer may not be apparent in a single test and will require multiple exams/tests before it is detected, i.e., screening tests, physician exams, x-rays and self-exams.

6.  Be aware of screening tests – May detect cancer before symptoms or tumors occur.   Certain cancer screening tests are important for everyone based on sex, age and ethnicity to include people that are healthy and do not have a family history of cancer.  A particular screening test may be recommended for those that are high-risk for a certain type of cancer.  The intent of screening is to detect the presence of and treat cancer in an early stage.  In some cases, pre-cancerous cells, polyps, or calcifications can be found and treated before a cancer tumor forms.  Screening tests should be performed at regular intervals as determined by your physician.   

7.  Keep health records – Request copies of lab tests, CT scans, MRI’s and ultrasounds.       Request copies of lab tests, CT scans, MRI’s, ultrasounds, etc. for your personal records.  Don’t rely on your physician to maintain the only copy of your health records.  It is also recommended that you maintain a journal of your office visits and physician diagnosis and treatments that may or may not be cancer related.  This information is important in the event physician files are lost or destroyed, you relocate to another area, or your physician relocates or retires.  These files may be required if cancer is suspected to determine changes when comparing existing versus previous test results and diagnosis.

8.  Listen to your body – Know your body norms.  Become aware of your body norms and listen to your body when it communicates with you via aches, pains and sores.  Some cancers may not be noticeable in the early stages and may not be detected by your physician.  If you notice a change in your body norm that does not respond as usual to over the counter or prescription medicine or another method of obtaining relief, take action to seek counsel from your physician.  Don’t take chances with cancer even if you have to rely on intuition or instinctive knowledge.  

9.  Practice prevention – Easier and more effective than cancer treatment.  Fifty percent of all cancers are preventable by practicing healthy lifestyles.  Cancer is influenced by the food we eat, by what we drink, by how we live and by the environment we live in to include sunrays and chemicals.  The best way to practice cancer prevention is to eliminate things in our diet and our lifestyle that we know can cause cancer.  Removing cancer causes is more effective, much easier and takes less time than undergoing surgery and cancer treatment.

10. Take ownership – It’s your body.  Individuals can take measures to reduce the risk of cancer.  For instance, tobacco is the largest single cause of death from cancer and has been linked to many diseases including an estimated one-third of all cancers.  Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is linked to an increased risk of mouth, throat and esophagus cancers.  People who smoke or drink alcohol heavily, take a risk of developing cancer of the esophagus that is about six times greater than that for nonsmokers and nondrinkers.  The risk of cancer increases to more than 40 times greater for people that both smoke and drink.  In other words, if you take ownership of your body and accept the responsibility to improve your health and your lifestyle, you can obtain control over cancer and lower your risk of death due to cancer.  Don’t take chances - It’s your body and it’s your choice!

11. Take action – Seek medical attention immediately at the first sign of a cancer symptom – It could save your life.  Don’t delay in contacting your physician or an oncologist following your noticing a sign of cancer or a suspicious change in body norms.  This is a critical time to recognize symptoms and become proactive in seeking professional help and, if necessary, obtaining a second opinion.  Early cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment could save your life.

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