Found a lump or experiencing symptoms that make you think you might have cancer? It's a scary thought, but try not to let fear be your guide. Of course, the first step is to see a doctor. A general practitioner should be able to order tests based on your symptoms. A tumor is typically biopsied, which means they will either stick a needle into it and take a section for analysis, or they will perform surgery to remove the tumor and test it. If it comes back positive (malignant), the second step is to see an oncologist, who will do further tests to determine the "stage" of the cancer, or how far it has progressed. Tests should also be able to determine what types of cells make up the cancer, how fast it grows, etc.

Not all lumps are cancerous. There are many reasons lumps can appear, such as, swollen glands, muscle masses, adenomas (hard swollen spot) after injury, scar tissue, etc. Tumors that are palpable (can be felt) are typically hard, non-tender and roll around under the skin. Most tumors of this kind are found around lymph gland sites, like neck, underarms, groin, lungs, etc. and may or may not include symptoms.  Some symptoms to look out for are night sweats, sudden weight loss or gain, persistent cough, etc. More symptoms for particular types of cancer can be found here.

There are numerous diagnostic tools available for testing for certain kinds of cancer. They include blood tests, biopsies, MRIs, CAT Scans, and ultrasounds, among others. These are the more routine types of tests, but cancure.org has done an excellent job of listing alternative tests that may be of interest. Hint: if you have an MRI, the dye will feel warm or hot in places, especially in the groin area. This was a shock to me the first time I had one because no one told me to expect it. Also, after any testing like that, it is smart to drink plenty of water in order to flush the toxic materials. A detox tea would also be helpful.

After all the testing is done and, if the results are positive, then it is time to see an oncologist. At this point, the stage/progression of disease may or may not have been definitively determined and the oncologist may want some further testing. One of the worst parts of all this is the worry that comes with waiting for test results. In this period, it is easy to be consumed by fear and stress due to the unknown factors. Plans for treatment cannot be made without all the facts. There is a direct relationship between stress and cancer, so it is important to stay focused and work with the information already available. Staying grounded at this time is very important to making sound decisions down the road. researching possible treatments and preparing mentally are good things to do while waiting.

Also, during this limbo time, working toward cleaning up your diet, personal hygiene products and household toxins will not only help occupy your thoughts, but will also be the beginning of taking control of your health in an active and productive way. Getting this aspect of your life under control will be beneficial toward healing and staying healthy. If you do have cancer, these changes may help in the healing process and to help prevent future cancers. If you are negative for cancer, the changes should help prevent cancer and other debilitating conditions in the future. In my opinion, based on research and anecdotal evidence, most "dis-eases" in our modern society can be avoided by making healthier lifestyle choices.

The next step- At The Oncologists

 

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