The results of this British study (published in the journal The British Journal of Cancer) are worrying: about one in five people hesitate for three months before going to see their doctor, even though they have typical symptoms of cancer… A figure “much too high and alarming” according to the researchers.
The work involved 2371 cancer patients. Among them, 35% had waited three months before going for a consultation when they had significant bleeding from the anus, 21% had also waited when they had lost a lot of weight at once, 17% had hesitated as they presented an abnormal protuberance on the skin, and 9% did not immediately make an appointment with their GP when their urine showed traces of blood …
Knowing how to recognize symptoms
These are cancer patients colorectal or the prostate who take the longest time to talk to their doctor (three months on average for 17% of them), while only 8% of patients affected by breast cancer postpone the deadline for that long.
The reasons given by the study participants? Embarrassment, shame, but also the fear of disturbing the doctor for little or the lack of time …
“These results may be explained by the fact that patients cannot recognize the early symptoms of cancer: if you have an abnormal tumor-like lump on the skin, if you are bleeding or losing weight abnormally. consult immediately, says Lindsay Forbes, author of the study. The earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chance of remission. “
And you, do you know how to recognize the first symptoms of cancer? Come talk about it on the forum.