When we eat healthily and exercise, we get to know our bodies better. It’s easier to tell if we need an energy boosting bowl of overnight oats to see us through a busy day, or a big plate of greens to stave off any sniffles. But knowing the more intimate parts of our bodies is just as important. It can be a difficult subject to talk about but understanding the health of our reproductive systems is so important, particularly when it comes to cancer.
You may have heard a lot about different female reproductive cancers in the past few months: Cervical Cancer Prevention week took place in January, while Ovarian Cancer Awareness month was in March.
Early diagnosis can be crucial with these cancers. For example, the chances of a woman surviving ovarian cancer for five years or more doubles when she is diagnosed at the earliest stage, according to Target Ovarian Cancer. And for men, all those diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive it for five years or more compared with less than a third at the latest stage, says Cancer Research UK.
With more awareness of the warning signs we are better armed in the fight against cancers, and if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer then be sure to check out the CANCERactive website, who offer holistic cancer information that your doctor most likely will not tell you about. (Arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible I say, and have as many treatments options as possible!)
Guide to reproductive cancer symptoms
This guide to the reproductive cancers in men and women put together by Bolt Burden Kemp, is supported by leading charities, including Ovacome and The Eve Appeal, and aims to educate more men and women about the early symptoms of the different reproductive cancers. The guide also helps you check for signs at home and tells you when it’s time to visit your GP.
Women – the importance of the smear test
Some cancers, such as cervical, can be found early as there are screening tests to spot it. But the uptake of the smear test is falling each year. But being healthy isn’t just about eating right and exercising, sometimes things happen to your body that are out of your control, so you need to pay attention to health risks and you should make regular GP check-ups part of your health routine.
Men – don’t shy away from the doctor
The same goes for men, who are notoriously prone to avoiding visiting the doctor. Developing certain cancers, such as prostate and testicular, can be genetic – so staying healthy also means taking responsibility for maintaining your wellbeing.
Talk about embarrassing symptoms today
If you are really serious about increasing your longevity, then you need to make sure regular visits to the GP are part of your health regime, and ensure when you are there that you discuss anything that may be a concern. This may include discussing any odd or perhaps new symptoms, to even those that you might feel too embarrassed to mention. Your doctor has seen and heard it all before so don’t worry. Plus, all might just turn out to be nothing at the end of the day, but speaking about all of them might just save your life too!
Bolt Burdon Kemp, is a medical negligence law firm. Bolt Burdon Kemp helps cancer sufferers to seek compensation if they have been wrongly diagnosed or diagnosed later than they should be.
