The footsteps of the "silent killer" — Be cautious of these changes in the body

There is no universal test for the early detection of cancer. This information was provided by Candidate of Medical Sciences Dmitri Bulanov. According to the doctor, instead of random examinations, undergoing regular screenings appropriate to age and gender is the most effective method.

Demokrat.az reports that the specialist has outlined a specific action plan to protect against oncological diseases and to detect them in a timely manner.

According to him, the check-up should not start with an oncologist, but with a therapist or family doctor. This specialist assesses complaints and risk factors and directs the patient to the appropriate profile – gynecologist, urologist, dermatologist, or other doctors. The oncologist is consulted only when there are serious suspicions or alarming changes detected during examinations.

The doctor stated that any lumps in the body, unexplained weight loss, long-term weakness, chronic cough, or rapid changes in moles are serious signals.

“A lump in the breast or soft tissues, blood traces in stool or urine, difficulty swallowing, or non-healing wounds should be the main reasons to consult a doctor. If these symptoms persist for several weeks, they should not be dismissed as mere fatigue,” Dmitri Bulanov emphasized.

For early diagnosis, examinations such as mammography, tests for cervical cancer, and colonoscopy are essential. Although blood tests and ultrasound examinations (USG) serve as auxiliary tools, the final diagnosis is made only based on biopsy results. Tumor markers are not useful for mass screening of healthy individuals.

The specialist added that to reduce risks, it is necessary not to delay dispensary observation, to know family medical history, and to abandon harmful habits. Insomnia and chronic fatigue are also among the factors that weaken immunity and increase cancer risk.

In other words, to catch cancer in time, it is not about seeking a “magical” test that reveals all diseases, but about being sensitive to complaints and undergoing regular preventive examinations.