Introduction
Welcome! I’m a doctor and I’m here to talk to you about the #1 sign that you may have a deadly form of cancer. Cancer is a serious disease that can have devastating effects on your health and wellbeing. While there are many different types of cancer, some of them can be particularly deadly if not caught early. In this article, I will discuss the #1 sign that you may have a deadly form of cancer and what you can do to reduce your risk. I will also provide some tips on what to eat and what to avoid in order to keep your body healthy and reduce your risk of developing cancer. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and I hope it helps you stay healthy and cancer-free.
I’m a Doctor and Here’s the #1 Sign You Have “Deadly Cancer” — Eat This Not That
Cancer is a serious and potentially deadly disease, and it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms that could indicate you have it. As a doctor, I’m here to tell you that there is one sign in particular that could be a sign of a deadly form of cancer: a sudden change in your diet.
If you suddenly find yourself eating foods that you never used to eat, or avoiding foods that you used to enjoy, it could be a sign that something is wrong. This could be a sign of a serious health issue, and it’s important to get checked out by a doctor if you experience this.
When it comes to eating, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right balance of nutrients. Eating too much of one type of food, or not enough of another, can lead to health problems. Eating a balanced diet is key to staying healthy, and it’s especially important if you’re at risk for cancer.
If you’re concerned about your diet, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure you’re getting the right balance of nutrients. First, make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. These are packed with vitamins and minerals that can help keep your body healthy. Second, limit your intake of processed and sugary foods. These can be high in calories and low in nutrition, and can contribute to weight gain and other health issues.
Finally, make sure you’re getting enough protein. Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle, and it can also help keep your immune system strong. Eating lean meats, fish, eggs, and legumes are all great sources of protein.
If you’re experiencing a sudden change in your diet, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. It could be a sign of a serious health issue, and it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. Eating a balanced diet is key to staying healthy, and it’s especially important if you’re at risk for cancer.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S.–heart disease is the number one killer, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Each year in the United States, more than 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer, and nearly 600,000 die from it. The CDC also states, “The cost of cancer care continues to rise and is expected to reach almost $174 billion by 2020.” Nobody wants to hear a cancer diagnosis, but it’s much more treatable today than it was previously, especially if caught early. Eat This, Not That! Health talked with doctors who explained what signs of cancer to be aware of and how to help prevent getting cancer. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Yevgeniy Skaradinskiy, DO, medical oncology/hematology at Staten Island University Hospital lists a few signs that could indicate cancer and not to ignore.
“Fever, night sweats, weight loss could be a sign of lymphoma
Unexplained thromboembolism and iron deficiency in geriatric patients could be an issue related to GI or GYN Unexplained Hematuria (blood in urine) can be a Genitourinary issue, which pertains to the genital and urinary systems. Unexplained headaches and focal neurological deficits could be a sign of a brain tumor or metastatic disease Unexplained jaundice are signs of biliary, liver, or pancreas cancer.”
Dr. Natasha Fuksina, MD Board certified in internal and obesity medicine, with functional medicine approach states, “When cancer spreads and metastases grow, cancer cells demand more energy for their metabolism than normal cells, therefore, a person burns more calories and loses weight. In addition, the burden of cancer cells may cause nausea and decreased appetite causing less food intake and aggravating weight loss. Weight loss can be seen with most cancers, such as pancreatic, colon, lung, ovarian, especially in advanced stages as the tumor burden increases.”
According to Dr. Fuksina, “Depression can accompany any cancer diagnosis. Fear for survival, side effects of chemotherapy, adjustments to daily activities all play a role in development of depression whether someone is just diagnosed or is already being treated for cancer. Cancers with worse prognosis, such as pancreatic or ovarian cancers cause more depressive symptoms. Cancers which are readily treatable and have good survival rates, especially when diagnosed early, such as breast, endometrial and prostate cancers, cause less depression.”
“In healthy young women, monthly menstrual bleeding is a normal physiological occurrence, however, in certain circumstances vaginal bleeding can be a cause for concern,” says Dr. Fuksina. “For example, in menopause, after periods stop, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of uterine cancer. When abnormal cells grow in uterine lining (endometrium), they can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding and if a woman experiences this symptom, she should be evaluated by her doctor right away. Prior to menopause, if vaginal bleeding occurs in between periods or the flow changes, that also can signify cancer cell growth. Seeing a gynecologist promptly for an examination and a PAP smear is in order!”
Dr. Fuksina states, “No blood belongs in one’s poop ever! While benign causes such as bleeding hemorrhoids can be the explanation, no amount of blood in the stool should be dismissed as it can be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Most colon cancers arise from polyps in the intestinal wall which may undergo cancerous transformation and cause bleeding. Amount of blood varies, from not visible to the naked eye (microscopic) to small amounts of blood and to large amounts. When anyone sees blood in their poop, they must see a doctor for a colonoscopy to look for colon cancer. The earlier it is detected the better the outcomes.”
“Cough can be caused by many conditions and diseases: from simple bronchitis and asthma to covid, tuberculosis, and lung cancer,” Dr. Fuksina explains. “Cough that is persistent beyond four weeks, especially in smokers and when accompanied by fevers, malaise, and weight loss, is a cause for concern – lung cancer must be suspected. When lung cancer grows in the lungs, it destroys normal lung tissue, causes cough and even trouble breathing. Seeing a physician promptly is necessary to undergo examination and testing to rule out lung cancer.”
Dr. Skaradinskiy says, “Cancer is more treatable because more screenings and awareness is available. Now tumors can be found at earlier stages and targetable mutations in tumors can be addressed with more available medications.”
Dr. Fuksina adds, “With advances in technology and the institution of widely available screening methods, it is possible to diagnose cancers earlier and start treatments earlier. For example, regular mammograms allow for earlier diagnosis of breast cancers. Recently, scientific evidence led to a recommendation for an earlier age at first colonoscopy (at 45 not 50) to screen for cancerous polyps and colon cancer. In addition, more treatments have become available in recent years with surgeries, chemotherapy, repurposed drugs, and immunotherapy allowing for better treatments, outcomes, and survival.”
“The best way to prevent cancer is by going for screenings, such as mammograms, GI endoscopy, and PAP smears,” Dr. Skaradinskiy says.
Dr. Skaradinskiy reminds us that, “Certain lifestyle choices increase risks of cancer, consider smoking cessation, weight loss, change of eating habits, choice of food/schedule of eating, and exercises. These are options associated with reducing your risk.”
Dr. Richard Reitherman, MD, PhD, medical director of breast imaging at MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA adds, “The best thing any of us can do to try to prevent cancer or other illnesses is to try to pursue a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating as much fresh food as possible, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and trying to keep processed foods to a minimum. Pursuing a normal weight is important to reduce risks for many diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It is also important to make it a priority to take steps toward managing stress. Even simple things such as taking a walk or bike ride outdoors, or listening to music, can have a positive impact. While stress is a part of all of our lives, it can have a negative effect on our immune system, making it harder for our bodies to fight against illnesses, including cancer. It is also beneficial to know your personal risk factors. Talk to your doctor about your own medical history, as well as any family history of cancer. Some people may benefit from genetic counseling, which may reveal a need for additional tests.”