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Early detection
Many cancers can be treated more effectively if they are found early.
I'm worried about getting cancer - what can I do? You know your own body best. If you notice that something has changed, it's a good idea to check it with your doctor. A regular checkup is a good idea as you get older.
Be alert to changes in your body, especially  a new lump or thickening in any part of the body a sore that does not heal a new spot or mole that has changed in shape, size or colour unusual bleeding or discharge persistent indigestion or difficulty in swallowing any change in your usual bowel habits any unexplained loss of weight coughing or hoarseness that doesn't go away. If you have any of these symptoms you should talk to your doctor straight away. What if cancer runs in my family?
A small percentage of cancers (~5%) are due to mutations inherited from your father or mother - particularly bowel, breast and ovarian cancer and melanoma. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned that cancer in your family may be inherited. People in these families are usually advised to undergo more regular testing for the relevant cancer, so that it can be detected and treated early. Find out more about familial cancers.
The Cancer Council South Australia provides advice and information on early detection through The Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20. Population cancer screening programs Organised population screening programs look for early changes in apparently heatlhy people when this will make treatment more effective (and potentially cure the disease).
These programs are started when there is a reliable test and there is good evidence that the population that has been tested will have better health outcomes. These cancers have organised population screening programs in Australia.
What about other cancers?
The following cancers are frequently talked about in the community. At the moment, there are no organised screening programs for them. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about your cancer risk.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed internal cancer South Australian men. Risk of prostate cancer increases with age. Skin cancers (Melanoma and other skin cancers) Check your body for suspicious spots. See your doctor if you have any new skin spots, or a spot that has changed in size, colour or shape. If detected early, skin cancer has a 95% cure rate. The earlier a suspected skin cancer is reported to your doctor, the more likely treatment will be successful.
This is the most common cause of cancer death in South Australian males. Stopping smoking at any age will reduce your risk of lung cancer over time. Reliable methods for early detection of this disease are yet to be developed. Testicular cancer This cancer is more common in younger men (under 50 years). Check your testicles, and if you notice any changes see your doctor.
Testicular cancer [The Cancer Council Australia position statement] Ovarian cancer can be hard to diagnose early, because symptoms can be vague and similar to other common illnesses. If you're concerned about familial or other risk factors, talk to your doctor.
Early detection of ovarian cancer [The Cancer Council Australia fact sheet]
Ovarian cancer information from the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre  Top |
Prevention & early detection 
