Cancer, a health threat that evokes fear, has seen a rising incidence rate in recent years. Due to the strong concealment and invasiveness of cancer cells, many patients find it difficult to detect subtle “alarms” their bodies send out in the early stages. By the time they exhibit significant symptoms such as persistent pain or unexplained weight loss and seek medical attention, the condition often progresses to an advanced stage, causing them to miss precious opportunities for potentially curative treatment.
So, which cancers are prone to "lurking" until they are discovered at an advanced stage, and how can we scientifically prevent them?
To address this, we have specially invited Meng Yan, the Director of the Second Ward of Oncology at Hainan Provincial Tumor Hospital, to provide an in-depth analysis from a professional perspective based on years of clinical experience.
Cancers that are Prone to Lurking Until Advanced Stages
1. Pancreatic Cancer: The Covert Attack of the "King of Cancers"
Pancreatic cancer is known as the "king of cancers," characterized by high malignancy and low five-year survival rates. Due to its deep location in the abdominal cavity, it is difficult to detect early on. Symptoms such as upper abdominal discomfort and indigestion are often misdiagnosed. By the time jaundice, worsening abdominal pain, or other symptoms appear, the cancer has often progressed to an advanced stage, causing patients to miss the opportunity for potentially curative surgery.
2. Lung Cancer: The Silent Health Killer
Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadliest cancers globally. Its early symptoms are mild, making them easily overlooked or misdiagnosed, such as coughing and sputum production. By the time symptoms like hemoptysis and chest pain manifest, cancer cells have often metastasized, significantly increasing the difficulty of treatment.
3. Liver Cancer: The Silent Liver Crisis
Liver cancer has a high incidence in China and typically presents insidiously. The liver has strong compensatory ability, meaning there are often no symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms like pain in the liver region or weight loss occur, it is usually at an intermediate or advanced stage, and some cases may have already metastasized outside the liver, resulting in a poor prognosis.
4. Stomach Cancer: The Deadly Hazard Disguised as Gastric Disease
Early symptoms of stomach cancer are non-specific and resemble those of gastritis, such as vague upper abdominal pain and decreased appetite, leading many patients to self-medicate and delay seeking medical attention. By the time they experience serious symptoms like vomiting blood or black stools, it is often too late for effective treatment.
5. Ovarian Cancer: Dangerous Signals Deep in the Pelvis
The ovaries are located in a concealed position, often showing no obvious symptoms in the early stages. Mild abdominal discomfort can be easily overlooked. Symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain may only appear when the tumor has enlarged or ascites have developed, at which point most cases are already at an advanced stage with cancer cells spreading to the pelvis and abdominal cavity.
Why Are These Cancers Often Discovered at an Advanced Stage?
1. Subtle Early Symptoms
In the early stages, these cancers often remain small and do not significantly invade or compress surrounding tissues and organs, or they may only cause mild, non-specific symptoms that fail to alert patients, resulting in delays in seeking timely medical evaluation.
2. Special Physiological Location
Cancers like pancreatic and ovarian cancer are located in less accessible areas, making it difficult for routine examinations, such as abdominal ultrasound, to clearly detect early lesions. Furthermore, early lesions of these organs lack characteristic imaging manifestations, complicating the diagnostic process.
3. Insufficient Public Awareness of Cancer Prevention
Many individuals do not adequately recognize the early symptoms and dangers of cancer, lacking awareness for regular check-ups and proactive screening. They often seek medical attention only when experiencing significant discomfort or severe symptoms, by which time the cancer may have advanced to a later stage.
How Can These Cancers Be Prevented?
01. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Balanced Diet: Consume more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other nutritious foods while reducing intake of high-salt, high-fat, high-sugar, and processed foods. Follow a regular eating schedule.
Moderate Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, combined with strength training, to control weight and boost immunity.
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption:Smoking cessation is crucial. For men, keep daily alcohol intake to ≤ 25 grams; for women, ≤ 15 grams to reduce the risk of multiple types of cancer.
Maintain Regular Sleep Patterns: Ensure 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night and avoid staying up late to prevent weakening your immune system.
02. Actively Manage Related Underlying Conditions
For chronic hepatitis patients, adhere to standardized treatment and regularly monitor liver function and other indicators.
Patients with gastric diseases should seek timely treatment, eradicate Helicobacter pylori, and closely monitor precancerous lesions.
Diabetic patients and those with chronic pancreatitis should actively manage their conditions to lower the risk of pancreatic cancer.
03. Avoid Exposure to Carcinogenic Factors
Chemical Factors: Stay away from carcinogens such as asbestos and benzene, and use protective measures during occupational exposure.
Physical Factors: Avoid excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure and limit unnecessary radiological examinations.
Biological Factors: Maintain hygiene to prevent infections from pathogens like HPV and hepatitis B, and receive relevant vaccinations in a timely manner.
04. Regular Cancer Screening
Lung Cancer: For heavy smokers aged 55 to 74, undergo low-dose spiral CT scans annually.
Liver Cancer: Starting at age 40, high-risk individuals should have liver ultrasounds and AFP tests every six months.
Stomach Cancer: Individuals over 40 in high-risk groups should have gastroscopies every 2 to 3 years.
Pancreatic Cancer: High-risk groups should regularly undergo abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, and tumor marker tests as needed.
Ovarian Cancer: From ages 30 to 35, high-risk individuals should regularly have gynecological ultrasounds and CA125 tests.
Cancer prevention and treatment emphasize prevention over treatment. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, actively managing underlying diseases, proactively avoiding carcinogenic factors, and undergoing regular cancer screenings, we can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer. Don’t let negligence lead to regrets—start taking action for your health today!
Editor | Huang Fei