Characteristics of cough warn of cancer, not Covid-19
People with cancer often have a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks and may cough up blood.
There is overlap between some of the symptoms ofCovid-19and cancer, especially lung cancer.
She noted signs to look for in a cough that could be a warning sign of cancer, not Covid-19. If the cough lasts longer than three weeks, the patient may need to be evaluated. In addition, coughing up blood is a potential symptom of cancer.
Other signs of cancer include a lump anywhere on the body, pain in the shoulder or abdomen, weight loss, fatigue, and blood in the urine.
Cancer Research UK stresses the importance of sharing details of your cough with your GP.
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| Illustration: Kompas |
The stage at which a patient is diagnosed can make the difference between life and death. Late detection can affect treatment options, reducing the chance of success.
Due to the impact of Covid-19, many people are reluctant to go to the doctor. Dr. Moffat advises: “People should not sit at home with these symptoms.” Your anxiety is unlikely to go away without going to the hospital.
Health services around the world have worked tirelessly over the past two years to combat Covid-19, saving millions of lives. However, many surgeries and treatments for other diseases have been postponed.
Cancer patients are often the ones who pay the ultimate price, with Macmillan Cancer Support warning in November that backlogs are still occurring in the UK.
“Nearly two years after the pandemic began, nearly 50,000 people with cancer are still not being diagnosed in time. Thousands more face delays and disruptions to their treatment,” said Steven McIntosh, chief executive at Macmillan.
