Kyran Cates

Reporter

In the United States, nearly 1.8 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Are you taking steps to avoid this common diagnosis?

COVID-19 has taught us the importance of noticing symptoms early on, but many people don’t know what signs to look for when it comes to cancer.

In addition to Black History Month, February is National Cancer Prevention Month, which is why we’ll be going through tips for staying cancer-free, and troubling signs to watch out for.

First, it’s important to know your family’s medical history. Cancer is often genetic, especially breast, colorectal, ovarian and prostate cancer. Knowing your family’s medical history will help you determine what signs to watch out for, and when to see a doctor.

One of the most common cancer diagnoses in the U.S. is breast cancer, which both males and females are susceptible to. Commonly noticed as a lump or a patch of red or thickening skin, breast cancer can usually be felt by hand.

Signs of breast cancer include dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin. Also watch out for redness, soreness, rashes, swelling or a nipple that has changed positions or become inverted. Visit breastcancer.org to read the five steps for performing a self-exam to check for lumps or thickening of the breast tissue.

Next up is lung cancer, which will likely be more difficult to detect without the help of a doctor. Lung cancer may begin as a cough that progressively worsens and doesn’t go away.

Eventually, you may notice hoarseness, wheezing, constant chest pain, headaches, coughing up blood and loss of appetite. Like many cancers, you may also notice unexplained weight loss. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., which is why it’s crucial to notice abnormal symptoms as soon as they begin.

Following breast and lung cancer is colorectal cancer, this term includes both colon and rectal cancer. According to Mayo Clinic, while screenings for colorectal cancer typically aren’t recommended until age 50, this may differ based on your family’s medical history.

Talk to your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, weakness or fatigue, a feeling that your bowel doesn’t completely empty or persistent abdominal stress such as cramps, pain or gas. People at age 50 are at higher risk of colorectal cancer, and the risk only grows every year onward.

Prostate cancer is another difficult disease to notice. Prostate cancer will kill nearly one in every 41 men, but this does not need to be the case. Around one in every eight men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, but most of them survive. You can be treated for prostate cancer if you take action when you notice: difficulty urinating, urinating very frequently or rarely, urinating blood or experiencing erectile dysfunction or pain in your hips, spine or chest.

The most common type of cancer in the U.S. is skin cancer, in fact, over two people die of skin cancer every hour. Often appearing on the face, head, arms and hands, skin cancer is a direct result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Skin cancer can materialize as different colored bumps or sores, moles that change color or bleed, external scar-like lesions and much more. Visit Mayo Clinic’s webpage on skin cancer to see a complete list of symptoms with pictures, and make sure to watch your skin for any unusual arrivals. The more exposure you have to UV radiation, the higher the risk of developing skin cancer is.

The list of possible cancer diagnoses is a very long one, so it’s essential that you notice any major changes in your body’s functions and seek help if these changes persist. General signs of cancer include unexplained weight loss, skin changes, fatigue, fever and pain. Any of these symptoms could indicate the presence of cancer, but it is important to be careful with self-diagnosing before seeing a doctor.

There are many ways to avoid cancer, but living a healthy lifestyle is the most effective way to do this and stay well altogether.

To help people care for themselves, Mayo Clinic put together a list of things to keep in mind to reduce your chances of getting cancer.

Most importantly, don’t use tobacco. Chewing and smoking tobacco has been linked to numerous types of cancer.  Next, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight and be physically active. While being a healthy individual doesn’t guarantee you will remain cancer-free, it is a good way to reduce your risk.

Unsurprisingly, protecting yourself from the sun will reduce your risk of getting skin cancer. Lastly, get vaccinated, avoid risky behaviors such as unprotected sex and get regular medical care.

If you discover any signs of cancer, contact your health provider immediately and get checked out. Catching and treating cancer early on is vital to remission and recovery.