When it comes to cancer, people generally show an alarming ignorance worldwide. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death and almost a third of cancer-related deaths could have been prevented through early detection and treatment. Early detection combined with prompt treatment also means the patient will need less aggressive treatment than if cancer had been allowed to spread – leading to a better quality of life. 

Early detection 

Early detection is a combination of downstaging, or early diagnosis and screening.  

• Early diagnosis programmes aim to reduce the rate of patients diagnosed with cancer at a later stage. They do this by increasing awareness of the first signs of cancer among healthcare providers and the general public. These programmes also campaign to lower the barriers to cancer-related services i.e. making cancer diagnostics and treatments more accessible and affordable.   

• Screening programmes consist of tests conducted on healthy, asymptomatic individuals who are in the early stages of cancer.  

Early diagnosis vs cancer screening 

Early diagnosis is relevant to all cancer types and involves diagnosing and treating patients as soon as symptoms appear. In contrast, screening tests are limited to only a few cancer types. They’re not meant to diagnose cancer, but rather identify factors that could indicate the presence of cancer. Some screening tests are only recommended for people identified as being at a high risk of certain cancers.  

Cancer risk factors 

Most cancers are the result of exposure to a variety of factors. Although most of these are out of your control (non-modifiable risk factors), more than 33% of cancer cases could have been prevented if you’d acted on and/or limited your exposure to modifiable risk factors, such as: 

• Excessive/regular alcohol consumption 

• Excess weight 

• Diets high in red meats, processed meats, and salted foods  

• Smoking or chewing tobacco 

• Exposure to manmade radiation and/or ultraviolet radiation 

• Exposure to carcinogens, for example asbestos 

• Untreated infections by viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV) or hepatitis B and C. 

Signs and symptoms of cancer  

Know your body. Spotting cancer early on can save your life, so see a healthcare provider immediately if you notice anything abnormal. Given there are more than 200 different types of cancer, each of which can cause many symptoms, look out for any of the symptoms below. Don’t panic, as it may indicate a less serious ailment, but if it is cancer, the benefit of spotting it early is massive. Some key signs and symptoms to look out for:  

• Fever or heavy night sweats 

• Fatigue  

• Unusual bleeding or bruising 

• Unusual aches and/or pains 

• Unexplained weight loss 

• Unusual lumps or swelling 

• Skin changes 

• Sores that heal slowly 

• New moles/changes to existing moles 

• Cough that won’t subside 

• Loss of appetite 

• Persistent bloating  

• Breathlessness 

• Difficulty in swallowing 

• Persistent heartburn or indigestion 

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