At Home with Dr Christian Jessen - 153

CANCER R EPO R T
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Fever

Don't automatically worry just
because you have an infection or
virus - but if it's unexplainable and
persistent, it could be a blood cancer,
such as lymphoma or leukaemia.
WHAT YOUR GP MAY DO After
an examination, your doctor may
order blood tests to be taken; or a
chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI or other
tests, depending on the findings.

Vaginal bleeding

Most women have an understanding
of their menstrual cycle - what's
usual and what's not. If you're
bleeding between your periods and
you don't normally, then it's vital to
get this looked at. You should also
see your GP if you are postmenopausal and start to bleed or
you bleed after sexual intercourse.
Having the occasional bleed when
you don't expect it is not hugely
uncommon - it will only turn out to
be a sign of cancer in a small
number of cases. Always let your
doctor know if symptoms persist. It
may be down to a hormonal issue,
especially if you are of menopausal
age, or it might reflect an infection.
WHAT YOUR GP MAY DO

Initially your GP will probably do
a smear test in which a speculum
is gently pushed into the vagina to
hold the walls open and sample cells
taken for analysis.

WORDS: GEORGINA MARIC | PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES

Breast changes

Lumps on the breasts are something
that most women know to keep an
eye out for, but there are other signs
that may indicate something is
wrong. These include skin changes,
such as dimpling or indentation of
the skin and wrinkles, nipple
changes, discharge when you're
not breastfeeding, breast swelling
and redness or an enlarged
underarm lymph node.
WHAT YOUR GP MAY DO

Your breasts will be carefully
examined and afterwards you may
be referred to a specialist clinic to
undergo a mammogram, ultrasound,
MRI scan and possibly a biopsy.

Skin changes

Checking for changes in moles
- including growth and texture
changes - is something most of
us are aware of, but watch out for
bleeding on your skin or lots of
scaling as these can also be signs
of melanoma. Get to know your
skin. You are the most likely person to

SEE YOUR GP IF YOU
HAVE A FEVER THAT
WON'T BREAK

'WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR
HEALTH, IT'S ESSENTIAL TO SIT
UP AND TAKE NOTE OF ANY
UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS'
notice changes, such as new lesions,
moles that have changed in size and
shape, moles that have started to bleed
or are itchy. Skin cancer can be
treated and cured if detected early.
WHAT YOUR GP MAY DO Most
people will be referred to a skin
specialist for treatment and you may
also be advised to have a biopsy.
This is usually a quick and simple
procedure, which is often done in
the outpatients' department using
a local anaesthetic. Your GP will
remove all or part of the affected
area and send it to be examined by
a pathologist. If the result is
positive, the treatment option is
usually surgery, although radiotherapy
or drugs can also be prescribed.

Indigestion

Having the odd bout of indigestion
is nothing to worry about; but
if it persists over a long period
of time or it's particularly painful,
then you should ask your doctor
for advice. It could be an early
clue that you have cancer of the
stomach, oesophagus or throat.
WHAT YOUR GP MAY DO

Initially you might be referred
for a chest X-ray followed by an
endoscopy - this is where a tube
is passed down your throat and
into your stomach. This is an
effective way of spotting cancers,
and biopsies can be taken and
sent for examination.

Bloating

All women feel at various times of
the month and it's nothing to worry
about, but if it happens almost every
day and persists for more than a few
weeks, then you need to get it checked
out. In rare cases, it can be a sign
of ovarian cancer, although >
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