Silent signals: Recognize cancer’s covert symptoms and indicators for prompt diagnosis
The most significant predictor of cancer outcomes is early detection, as it preserves patients’ quality of life and reduces financial burden due to shorter and easier treatments. Stated differently, the objective is to detect cancer early since it not only makes treatment easier for the patient but also significantly increases their chances of survival. This means that early detection has a significant influence on cancer survival, which is dependent on the stage of the disease.
Exist any symptoms that are often disregarded or misconstrued, which might cause a delay in receiving a diagnosis?
Dr. Venkat P, senior consultant surgical oncologist for breast, gynecological, and GI cancers at Apollo Cancer Centre, said in an interview with HT Lifestyle: “Many patients occasionally overlook small lumps or changes in the shape of the breast.” Unexpected weight loss or appetite reduction, early satiety or feeling full after eating little, and low hemoglobin levels are significant cancer signs that should not be disregarded. feces with blood in them or dark, blackish feces are often misinterpreted as piles and are linked to gastrointestinal malignancies.
“In general, any symptom that does not go away in six weeks should be taken seriously and consulted with an oncologist,” he said. Abdominal distension, gastritis, early satiety, and bloating are common gastrointestinal symptoms of ovarian cancer. The majority of these patients continue to take their gastritis drugs, delaying the proper diagnosis. Sometimes women mistakenly attribute their weight increase to abdominal distension resulting from ovarian cancer.
It is crucial to understand that cancer may present with quite modest signs, says Dr. Vineet Govinda Gupta, Senior Consultant and Unit Head Medical Oncology at Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh. “Everyone is aware of the typical signs of cancer, such as feeling a lump in the breast or a mass in the body,” he stated. These are comparatively typical cancer symptoms. These symptoms are more widely recognized and experienced by individuals. However, many of the symptoms are more subdued. Take weight reduction, for instance. Therefore, while weight loss is a typical symptom of cancer, patients often do not believe that it is one. Generally speaking, we advise patients to see their physician if they have an unintentional weight loss of more than 10% of their body weight, since this is a serious indicator of malignancy.
Coughing is another instance of a mild symptom. According to Dr. Vineet Govinda Gupta, “People with lung cancer often have persistent coughs that they ignore.” Lung cancer is a highly frequent kind of cancer. Therefore, a cough that persists for more than three weeks is often a very serious indicator of malignancy. This means that many of these mild symptoms may be cancer. Another example is a recurring weakness. Blood loss is one of the major reasons of weakness, however there are numerous other causes as well. Let’s say someone is experiencing blood loss in their feces. In fact, the blood loss may be the result of cancer, particularly in the GI tract (Gastrointestinal tract), as they experience anemia, paleness, and weakness. Thus, chronic weariness that does not go away also calls for a thorough examination by a physician and is a very modest indication of malignancy.
“It’s important to remember that the patient continues to experience symptoms,” he said. even in cases when the symptom is vague. Usually, when we think about cancer, we picture a patient developing a tumor in some location. The issue is that masses may also develop within the body, and you should exercise caution since they can cause quite mild symptoms. In general, we advise patients to see a doctor if they have any persistent symptoms that last longer than three weeks, regardless of whether the symptoms are connected to cancer. See a doctor to have the symptom examined, even if it is a vague one like weakness, exhaustion, or weight loss.
In response, Dr. Venkat P said, “With the advancement of science, it is now possible to identify genetic defects.” Following appropriate counseling, it is recommended that individuals with cancer who are young patients or who have several cancer-afflicted family members undertake genetic testing.
Dr Vineet Govinda Gupta said, “Familial cancer is a very important cause of cancer,” applying his experience to the matter. Research suggests that between 5% and 10% of cancer cases have a family history. Individuals with a strong family history should participate in genetic counseling. In genetic counseling, the physician creates a family tree with the patient and family to determine the kind of cancer that runs in the family and the most probable genetic condition. Genetic testing is ordered for the patient in accordance with the many genetic disorders and cancer types that run in the family. If there is a family history of cancer, genetic testing may confirm it.
Genetic testing and genetic counseling are considerably more commonplace these days, but it’s crucial to remember that genetic counseling should come before genetic testing. The rationale, according to Dr. Vineet Govinda Gupta, is that there are several syndromes, therefore you have to be really cautious about whatever condition you test for. It’s not enough to order a big panel and cross your fingers. That testing has to be carried out carefully. Pre-test counseling is necessary to determine what sort of test should be performed and to prepare the patient for the test results; post-test counseling is necessary to talk about the consequences of the test.
“If someone tests positive, they should be under closer observation, and other family members should also get tested,” he said. Following the genetic test, a number of tasks must be completed. It goes beyond just finishing the exam and walking away. The patient’s lifestyle will alter and they will need to take several precautions to avoid cancer if the test results are positive. Genetic counseling, pre-test counseling, genetic testing, and post-test counseling are some of the terms used in this context. However, you may use it to enhance the prognosis of certain cancers in your family.
What effect does early detection have on the course of therapy and results for cancer? Do you have anything further to add?
“There is a 100% chance of a cure for breast cancer when detected in its early stages,” Dr. Venkat P promised. Early diagnosis and treatment provide many benefits, including a high incidence of cure, a shorter course of therapy, fewer side effects because of the shorter course of treatment, and the use of fewer treatment modalities.
Breast cancer patients with stage one disease had a nearly 95–99% long-term survival rate, according to Dr. Vineet Govinda Gupta. “It dips to about 85 to 90% for stage two and to about 70 to 80% for stage three,” he said. In a similar vein, if someone has stage one head and neck cancer once more, the long-term cure rate is around 90%. However, the long-term survival rate for patients in stages three or four is just thirty to forty percent.
“There are many advantages if you catch the cancer early,” the specialist said. First, there is a higher survival rate. Second, therapy is simpler. Let’s say, for instance, that the patient has neck cancer. If the disease is detected in Stage 1, a smaller operation will be necessary. Patients may be able to forego chemotherapy and radiation treatment while still having a very high chance of survival. In contrast, a patient who comes to us at stage three would likely need more extensive surgery, radiation treatment, maybe even chemotherapy, and a greater risk of recurrence.
According to Dr. Vineet Govinda Gupta, the field of genetic counseling is still in its infancy. Although there are specialized genetic counselors in large cities, many smaller communities lack such counselors. Thus, medical oncologists often do it. Genetic counselors will analyze the family tree and determine the kind of genetic mutation that is most likely to exist. They will conduct testing, counseling before to the exam, and counseling after the test.
