Cancer Awareness Inventory

This inventory was developed to help with early detection and treatment of cancer. It presents common symptoms for various cancer sites. If you have symptoms, check with your physician. The chances are that you will not have cancer, but these symptoms do suggest a potential problem with your health. It is always wise to be safe and consult your physician when you are assuming responsibility for your health.

Directions

For each cancer site, check any of the symptoms you experience.

1. Blood in urine?
2. Unusual change in bladder habits?
3. Discomfort in urination?
4. Change in flow in urination?
5. An urge to urinate more frequently?

1. Pain in the bone or joint?
2. Swelling in the bone or joint?
3. Unusual warmth in the bone or joint?
4. Protruding veins along the bone or joint?

1. Thickening or lump in the breast?
2. Lump under the arm?
3. Thickening or reddening of the skin of the breast?
4. Puckering or dimpling of the skin of the breast?
5. Nipple discharge?
6. Inverted nipple, if nipple was previously erect?
7. Persistent pain and tenderness of the breast?
8. Unusual changes in the nipple and areolae?
9. Benign breast lumps?

1. Continuous constipation or diarrhea?
2. Rectal bleeding?
3. Change in bowel habit?
4. An increase in intestinal gas?
5. Abdominal discomfort?

1. An unusual cough?
2. Shortness of breath?
3. Sputum streaked with blood?
4. Chest pain?
5. Recurring attacks of pneumonia or bronchitis?

1. Painless enlargement of a lymph node or cluster of lymph nodes?
2. Profuse sweating and fever?
3. Weight loss?
4. Unexplained weakness?
5. Unusual itching?

1. A sore in the mouth that does not heal?
2. Lump or thickening that bleeds easily?
3. Difficulty in chewing or swallowing food?
4. The sensation of something in the throat?
5. Restricted movement of the tongue or jaw?
6. Poor oral hygiene?

1. Weak or interrupted flow of urine?
2. Inability to urinate or difficulty in starting urination?
3. A need to urinate frequently, especially at night?
4. Blood in urine?
5. Urine flow that is not easily stopped?
6. Painful or burning urination?
7. Continuing pain in lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs?

1. Obvious change in wart or mole?
2. Unusual skin condition?
3. Chronic swelling, redness, or warmth of the skin?
4. Unexplained itching?
5. Overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun?

1. An enlargement and change in the consistency of the testes?
2. A dull ache in the lower abdomen and groin?
3. Sensation of dragging and heaviness?
4. Difficulty with ejaculation?

1. A lump or mass in the neck?
2. Persistent hoarseness?
3. Difficulty in swallowing?
4. Overexposure to head and neck x-ray treatments?

1. Irregular bleeding?
2. Unusual vaginal discharge?
3. Positive Pap smear, Class 2 to 5, some signs of abnormality?
4. Recurring herpes simplex virus?
5. Fibroid tumors of the uterus?

Any statement you have checked should be carefully evaluated. If the symptom appears severe (for example, blood in the stool), see a physician immediately. However, pain in a joint may be observed for a short period to see if there is improvement. Never wait longer than 2 weeks to see a physician if the symptom persists.

1. How many symptoms have I checked?
2. How serious do these symptoms seem?
3. Should I see a physician now or wait?