What kinds of changes in my body should I report to my healthcare provider?
Regular checkups are important because healthcare providers are trained to spot the signs and symptoms of cancer. Having any of these signs or symptoms doesn't always mean that you have cancer. They may be due to some other medical problem, or they may not be serious at all. To find out more about what’s causing the change in your body, you may need to have some tests.
Even if you've recently seen your healthcare provider for a checkup, it's important to report any of these changes as soon as possible:
- any new growth on the skin
- patches of skin that bleed, itch or become red
- any sore that does not heal anywhere on your body or in your mouth
- changes to the shape, size or colour of a mole or wart
- a new or unusual lump or swelling in the breast, testicle or any other part of the body
- any unusual bleeding or discharge from the nipple, vagina or penis
- blood in your pee (urine) or poop (stool)
- blood in phlegm (mucus) coughed up from your lungs
- weight loss, fever, tiredness, aches or pains that you can't explain
- any change in bladder habits, such as finding it hard to pee (urinate) or pain when you pee
- any change in bowel habits, such as having runny, loose stools (diarrhea) or finding it hard to poop (constipation), that lasts more than 1 to 2 weeks
- indigestion or heartburn that doesn’t go away
- problems swallowing
- a cough, hoarseness or a croaky voice that doesn’t go away
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