Cancer symptoms can often be vague and easily overlooked. However, the current strain on cancer care services underscores the urgent need to increase public awareness of potential warning signs. Health organisations have noted that many individuals with lung cancer have reported noticeable changes in their facial appearance. An article on the Reynolds Cancer Support House health website lists cancer symptoms that women are “most likely to ignore”.
The health organisation further explains: “Some patients with lung cancer report noticing puffiness, swelling, or redness in the face.” “The reason for this is that small cell lung tumours often block blood vessels in the chest, preventing blood from flowing freely from the head and face.”
These changes are considered a “common sign” of lung carcinoma, but they can also be associated with several other types of cancer. Carcinoid tumours, for instance, are neuroendocrine tumours that specifically develop in neuroendocrine cells.
These cells are responsible for transmitting signals by releasing hormones to help the body function. When these cells become cancerous, symptoms can include hot, red facial flushing, diarrhoea, and wheezing. Studies suggest that facial flushing is a result of carcinoid syndrome, which is caused by an excess of hormone-like substances being released into the bloodstream. Squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, has also been known to alter the appearance of the face.
These changes often occur in the sections of the face that are most likely to be exposed to the sun. When lung cancer causes a puffy face, it’s usually because the tumour is pressing on the vein leading from the head to the heart.
This obstruction slows down the flow of blood to and from the head, causing swelling around the neck and face. Studies into the psychological impact of these changes have shown they can have a significant effect.
Cancer research UK said: “You should see your GP if you notice a change in your skin that isn’t normal for you. Even if you’re worried, you shouldn’t delay seeing them. Your worry is unlikely to go away if you don’t make an appointment. The symptom might not be due to cancer. But if it is, the earlier you pick cancer up, the easier it is to treat. You won’t be wasting your doctors time.”
You should see your doctor if you have:
- a spot or sore that doesn’t heal within 4 weeks
- a spot or sore that hurts, is itchy, crusty, scabs over, or bleeds for more than 4 weeks
- areas where the skin has broken down (an ulcer) and doesn’t heal within 4 weeks, and you can’t think of a reason for this change
For more information click here. It’s crucial not to ignore any drastic bodily changes and seek expert advice, as screening tests can help detect malignancies in the early stages. There are several preventative steps that can be taken to lower the risk of cancer.
Avoiding exposure to radiation, industrial and environmental toxins, infections and smoking is recommended. Exercise and a good diet are two equally important measures in the prevention of cancer, as both help keep the body lean.
Although research linking cancer to sleep isn’t strong, prioritising quality sleep is advised. This is because “poor and insufficient sleep is associated with weight gain, which is a cancer risk factor,” explains Harvard Health.
Lastly, getting enough vitamin D can offer some protection against several cancers, including prostate and colon cancer.