The mask does not protect against cancer! Oncologists tell what the first symptoms of cancer may be

Young oncologists from the Wrocław branch of the Polish Oncological Society appeal to patients to contact oncologists in case of suspected cancer. – Tumors are not locked down. Every year in Poland, cancer is detected in approx. 170 thousand. people. Do not ignore the disturbing symptoms, let’s see a doctor, say the initiators of the action.

  1. The coronavirus pandemic has meant that patients are less likely to report worrying symptoms that could indicate cancer. More often they go to oncologists with advanced cancerous lesions
  2. Oncologists list which symptoms should arouse concern – they may be a sign of cancer
  3. Experts remind and encourage preventive examinations, especially cytology, mammography, and colonoscopy
  4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

Oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic

The data from the National Health Fund shows that in 2020 over 17 thousand. fewer DiLO cards (diagnostic and oncological treatment cards, which are to accelerate diagnosis and therapy in patients with suspected cancer) than in 2019. Unfortunately, the latest data from January this year. indicate that this year also did not start optimistically – only in January more than 3 were issued. fewer cards than in the corresponding period a year ago.

– We observe two negative phenomena. First, there are actually fewer oncological patients. Secondly – those who go to the oncologist have a very advanced form of the disease. This means that for a long time the patients could not get to the doctor or, fearing a visit to the hospital, they wanted to wait out the seemingly minor ailments at home. In such patients, treatment is much more difficult, and the prognosis is much worse – explains the drug. Aleksandra Sztuder from the Lower Silesian Cancer Center. – The main thing is not to ignore the disturbing symptoms. The mask will not protect us against cancer – she adds.

The pandemic also suspended screening tests. The latest data published by the National Health Fund show that only about 33% of people have recently applied for breast cancer screening. Before the pandemic, an average of 55-60 percent reported for mammography. women aged 50-69. In turn, cytology has recently been performed by only about 14 percent. women aged 25-59 (30-40% before the pandemic). The worst situation is in the case of colonoscopy, where even before the pandemic there was a very low reporting rate – in some provinces, even a few percent.

Cancer – what symptoms can we worry about?

Symptoms that should make us visit a doctor include:

General symptoms:

  1. unexplained weight loss
  2. unexplained fatigue
  3. unexplained iron deficiency anemia / anemia.

Symptoms of the digestive system:

  1. blood in the stool
  2. change in bowel habits (loose stools / diarrhea or constipation)
  3. chronic flatulence,
  4. undiagnosed stomach pain
  5. feeling of pressure in the abdomen,
  6. unexplained tumor in the rectum or abdomen.

Urinary symptoms:

  1. discomfort during urination – pain, burning,
  2. difficulty urinating and / or blood in the urine
  3. frequent urination or urinary incontinence,

Respiratory symptoms:

  1. chronic cough
  2. blood plucking,
  3. pain in the chest, shoulder, back, ribs,
  4. shortness of breath, hoarseness
  5. “Shortening” of breath,
  6. recurrent pneumonia and / or bronchitis.

Breast changes:

  1. a new lump or lump in the breast, a change in the size or shape of the breast
  2. nipple change, nipple leakage without pressure
  3. change in the skin of the breast, ulceration
  4. lymph node mass / enlargement in feed.

How to visit an oncologist?

Anyone suspected of having cancer should require their doctor to issue a DiLO card, or “green passport”, thanks to which they will be on the fast oncological path. With the DiLO card, you should go to the nearest oncology facility. All the necessary information on how to register is available on the websites of the centers.

The list of centers is available at: http://pto.med.pl/wykaz-centrow-onkologii

How to apply for a preventive examination?

  1. List of centers providing preventive colonoscopy: http://pbp.org.pl/osrodki/
  2. Applications for free mammography tests: https://www.nfz.gov.pl/dla-pacjenta/mammobusy/
  3. Pap smears are performed by every obstetrics and gynecology clinic that has a signed agreement with the National Health Fund. Selected health care clinics that have signed a contract for the services of a health care midwife under the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program.

Announcement of the Polish Cancer Society

This may interest you:

  1. These are the two most common cancers among Polish women and Poles
  2. WHO: breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It was ahead of lung cancer
  3. Is it cancer? These early symptoms should give you food for thought

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