Do you always get things checked that don't seem right with your body?

GregP_WN

This is an example of why you need to get checked out if you have something going on with your body that you think might not be right. My 4th cancer diagnosis started almost a year ago with a strange tickling sensation inside my throat that I couldn't explain. I had my throat scoped 4 times which didn't show anything wrong, but I knew something was happening. I persisted and finally on I think the 5th scope, the lesion was finally showing.

This ESPN reporter had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma inside him until it killed him. He didn't get checked, his cancer spread all the way to stage IV and killed him without them knowing he had it. Because he didn't get checked.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/espn-reporter-who-died-at-34-didnt-know-he-had-non-hodgkin-lymphoma-fiancee-reveals-how-common-is-it-to-not-know-223642592.html

Teachertina

Yes I do! Usually your instinct tells you when something is wrong, so I don’t wait after learning the hard way!

JaneA

I followed my gut too - I began to have rectal bleeding and went to my PCP. He said, "Probably hemorrhoids." And I said, "Probably is not good enough." I got referred for a board-certified colorectal surgeon. His PA did a digital rectal exam and felt my tumor at my first appointment. I was Stage IV at diagnosis with multiple lymph node involvement and a lung met. The bleeding was my first and only symptom.

BoiseB

Nope never do. I am great at denial, self diagnosis and procrastination. And I always believe that I am a hypochondriac. When I do go to the Dr. I often minimize my symptoms.

Kp2018

I'm with BoiseB. My strongest defense mechanism is denial. So, that brings self diagnosis and a "wait and see" attitude. So far, I've been lucky. BTW, everything seemed hunky dory with my body when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thank goodness for screening with mammography.

Jouska

Somewhere on this site I read about the 2 week rule. This was especially applicable post-treatment when not seeing my oncologist every three weeks and of course everything is so fresh and scary that I tended to make things up. After my breast cancer treatment was over, I did have some vaginal bleeding, so that, of course, I had checked out because that is a serious symptom. That lead to a diagnosis of an ovarian tumor and then a total hysterectomy and thankfully the tumor was benign. Some symptoms, like bleeding, are more serious than others and should be checked out. Typically I give a symptom, pain or a soreness two weeks. If it goes away, great, if not I may get it evaluated. I am also 65 so aches and pains come and go. During chemo, yes, I checked in with the nurses because you don't want something getting ahead of you. I do pay attention to my body and I am the one who found my lump that led to a breast cancer diagnosis.

Created07

Absolutely! That's how they found my non-hodgkins lymphoma.

BoiseB

I have had chronic pain and fatigue since I was five years old. So I kind of learned to ignore pain. I also was a very sickly child. So to me pain is just normal.

Paperpusher

I'm a preventative medicine supporter so if I get some strange symptoms, I go get them checked out. I'd rather have a doctor look at me like I'm a hypochondriac than miss something. I'm very pleased that most of my doctors feel the same way I do. Catch the problem when it's small.