Delays can affect cancer survival rates

Cancer Council WA is urging those over 40 years of age in the South West to be aware of any new symptoms and get them checked this holiday season, with evidence showing a delay in treatment of four weeks can result in poorer survival.

Cancer Council WA South West Regional Education Officer, Julie Rose, said the best Christmas present or New Years resolution you can give yourself is looking after yourself.

“The holiday season gets pretty hectic, with a lot of focus on other people, so it’s easy to forget about ourselves,” Julie said.

Cancer Council WA recently surveyed almost 1250 adults aged 40 years and over, who live in regional WA about the Find Cancer Early campaign.

The survey found 15 per cent of participants who had experienced a symptom in the last six months delayed visiting a doctor because of time issues or competing priorities.

“Taking time during the holiday season to see your doctor about possible cancer symptoms may save your life,” she said.

“If you know something isn’t right, we encourage you to see your doctor, clinic nurse, or Aboriginal health worker early.

“Getting our symptoms checked out and treated early means we can get back to the people we cherish and the things we love doing.”

The Find Cancer Early program conducted by Cancer Council WA, targets regional Western Australians.

It has been created to improve cancer outcomes for regional people over 40 years of age, by increasing cancer symptom awareness and encouraging people to visit their doctor, clinic nurse or Aboriginal health worker earlier.

In the planning phase of the Find Cancer Early campaign, researchers spoke to regional Western Australians cancer survivors about common barriers in delays for seeking help. Christmas and the New Year holiday season was a common reason why people put off seeking professional medical help.

Cancer Council WA recommends seeing a doctor, clinic nurse or Aboriginal health worker straight away if you experience any of the below symptoms, especially if you’re over 40:

Blood in your poo, blood in your pee, or you’ve coughed up blood.

Or, for more than four weeks you have:

Having a symptom doesn’t mean you have cancer. In most cases, these symptoms will not be due to cancer, but it’s important that you discuss them with your doctor just in case.

For more information visit findcancerearly.com.au or call the Cancer Council Information and Support Line on 13 11 20.