There are a variety of different malignant tumors. What most of them have in common is that the earlier the cancer is detected, the greater the chances of cure. In addition, everyone can reduce their individual risk of cancer by reducing harmful factors that affect the body from the outside. It is also important to monitor your own body and take warning signs seriously.
Risk factors by cancer type
The risk of developing cancer varies greatly among individuals and depends on many factors. Certain forms of cancer are genetically determined and inherited, while others often develop as part of certain diseases. Today, however, it is also known that a large proportion is caused by external influences – estimates suggest that up to over a quarter of all cancers could be prevented if harmful environmental conditions were eliminated. The most common risk factors with examples of specific cancers are:
- Smoking (especially lung cancer).
- Excessive alcohol consumption (v. a. Cancer of the liver, esophagus, mouth and throat).
- Unhealthy diet, obesity (eg, colon cancer).
- Too much sun exposure without protection (v. a. Skin cancer).
- Insufficient safety measures in the workplace (e.g., with chemicals or radiation; e.g., bladder or kidney cancer, lung cancer).
- Prolonged use of certain medications (e.g., blood cancer, liver cancer).
- Certain viral diseases (eg, viral hepatitis with risk of liver cancer, AIDS with risk of lymphoma).
Early detection of cancer
The earlier malignant changes are detected, the higher the probability that they can be well treated or even cured. Therefore, medical checkups are recommended by the legislator for the early detection of common cancers. However, since they only cover a part of possible forms of cancer, are only offered to certain age groups and only at certain intervals, it is important that each individual closely and regularly monitors his or her body with all its regions. Even minor changes or mild complaints that have been present for a longer period of time should be taken seriously and presented to a doctor.
At the latest when one of the following warning signs appears, the visit to the doctor should not be delayed any longer:
- Painful or non-painful, visible or palpable lumps, indurations or swellings, especially in the neck, chest and testicles, but also in all other areas of the body, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin.
- Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite.
- Unexplained pain
- Fatigue, tiredness, decrease in performance over a long period of time.
- Fever, sweating (especially at night).
- Persistent cough (irritation), prolonged hoarseness.
- Dysphagia
- Discomfort during urination or ejaculation
- Bleeding from the mouth, nose, intestines, urethra, or breast
- Changes or problems with bowel movements, prolonged digestive problems such as abdominal pain, vomiting, belching, heartburn, feelings of fullness or disgust
- Skin changes, persistent itching, poorly healing wounds.
- New-onset, prolonged headache or new, sudden visual disturbances
- Paralysis, seizures, speech disorders, personality changes.
