Few conditions cause more fear than cancer. That fear can even lead people to ignore important signs of a problem, delaying a diagnosis and treatment in the earliest stages of the disease.
While that reaction is completely natural, many cancers are highly treatable, especially when caught as early as possible. So, as scary as it may seem, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor when health changes arise.
Dr. Adepero Okulaja offers outstanding care at The Doctor’s House in Edina, Minnesota. At her independent internal medicine practice, you get personalized and compassionate care in a timely manner, whether you need help with total wellness, a chronic condition, or early cancer detection.
Regular preventive screenings help detect many types of cancer early on, like breast, prostate, and colon cancers. However, Dr. Okulaja recommends scheduling an appointment if you notice these common signs of the disease.
Signs or symptoms of cancer
It’s essential to note that having these symptoms doesn’t guarantee the presence of cancer. In fact, they could indicate a variety of health conditions. As a result, it’s even more important to talk to your doctor to identify an underlying cause if you notice these changes:
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Unexplained weight loss (or gain) of at least 10 pounds
- Changes in appetite, bowels, or bladder
- Blood in your urine or stool
- Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, or trouble swallowing
- Lumps, swelling, or thickening of tissue
- Skin changes, including sores that don’t heal, scaly patches, discoloration, and mole changes
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Chronic hoarseness or cough
- Mouth, vision, or hearing problems
- Night sweats or fever
- Headaches
- Persistent or worsening pain, especially with an unknown source
If you’ve had any of these symptoms, see Dr. Okulaja, who uses root cause medicine to help determine what’s to blame. She also offers early detection screenings that can help identify a problem before symptoms arise.
Early detection cancer screening
Cancer detection and treatment have come a long way in recent years, including the ability to diagnose many common forms of the disease through a simple blood draw. Best of all? You can often get results within 10 business days.
Other methods of detecting cancer might include:
- Urine tests
- Tissue biopsies
- Swabs
- Colonoscopies
- X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
- Ultrasounds
- Mammograms
Dr. Okulaja can recommend the best screening method based on your symptoms and risk factors. And, if your test results don’t confirm the presence of cancer, she can suggest additional screenings, if needed, to determine the cause of your symptoms.
If your tests confirm the presence of cancer, Dr. Okulaja can guide you through your diagnosis and the next steps for treatment. This often involves working with a specialist, but she can provide personalized information based on the type of cancer identified.
Remember: Early detection typically offers the best treatment outcomes. Making preventive screenings part of your total wellness plan helps detect issues early, but don’t forget to talk to your doctor if any of these symptoms arise.
Have you had health changes, or do you want to learn more about early cancer detection? Contact The Doctor’s House to schedule a consultation with Dr. Okulaja today.
