Early detection is one of the most effective ways to prevent cancer from progressing to a more serious stage and improving survival. The best way is to proactively know your body and be able to notice changes.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Lumpiness or a thickness in your breasts, changes to their shape or colour, an unusual nipple discharge, a nipple that turns inwards, or any sudden/unusual pain while you are self-screening for breast cancer.
- Lumps appearing on the neck, armpit or anywhere else in the body.
- Sores or ulcers that are not healing.
- Persistent coughs, sore throats or coughing up blood.
- Noticeable change in toilet habits ranging over two weeks or blood during bowel movements.
- New moles or skin spots, changes in shape, size or colour in pre-existing ones or unexplained bleeding.
- Unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding.
- Unexplainable weight loss.
Remember:
- Australia’s national screening programs are free and don’t require a doctor’s referral. Find out more about Breast Cancer Screening, Bowel Cancer Screening and Cervical Cancer Screening.
- Talk to your GP about prostate or ovarian cancer at your check-ups.
- Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of cancer. Learn more.
- First Nations people are 1.1 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than other Australians, and 1.4 times likely to die of cancer.
Read more about Can Too’s investments in cancer prevention and cancer research.
