In part one of "16 Signs of Women's Cancers," I discuss important reasons why every woman must take control of monitoring changes in her own body. Because of the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in her lifetime, it is important to recognize the signs of cancer early. Here we continue our 16-point "Healthy Woman Checklist."
Become the authority of your own body. Recognize changes early. This may save your life, and will certainly give you the opportunity to incorporate natural therapies and an integrative approach to your health care.
How to Recognize Cancer (continued from part one):
Symptoms of many cancers are often characterized by having a fixed location and by their persistence. This means the location doesn't change or travel and move around, and the symptoms do not come and go.
Go through the following "Cancer Cues Checklist" every month:
Here are 16 Signs of Women's Cancers That You Must Not Ignore (continued from part one):
Asymmetry: Melanomas tend to be asymmetrical while benign lesions are more rounded and symmetric.
Borders: Benign lesions are usually regular and flush with the skin while melanomas may have irregular and/or raised borders.
Color: Melanomas may be tan, black or brown and often include regions of red, white and blue.
Diameter: In general, melanomas are larger than 6 mm in diameter.
Evolution: Changes in physical appearance of melanocytic growths are often observed over time and skin marking should be monitored for changes. Because the changes may be gradual, it is a good idea to photograph any suspicious marks, including a ruler or coin for size comparison. This allows for direct comparison of images taken at different times.
Parts one and two offer you a 16-point "Healthy Woman Checklist" to review each month. Use it. Save your own life. Share this list with your mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, grandmothers and woman friends.
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References:
What You Need to Know About Cancer Symptoms. National Cancer Institute
Information provided is for educational purposes and it is not meant to substitute the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Information and statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
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