‘WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR BODY, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS’
A healthy-looking 30-year-old posted a glowing photo of herself, taken hours before her cancer diagnosis – proof we should listen to our bodies, says Dr C
Personal trainer Vicky Veness, 30, from Cheltenham, recently shared a photo of herself looking healthy and happy, taken on the day she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She’s a nonsmoker, who eats healthily, and said her symptoms had been “brushed off as asthma.”
TRY TREATMENTS
Her message was that if you feel unwell, however silly you feel, see your doctor, and keep going back until you get the answers you need. I completely agree.
It’s understandable that Vicky wasn’t diagnosed with cancer, because it’s far likelier that this non-smoking, healthy eating, active young woman would have asthma – just 28 out of 21,436 new cases of female lung cancer are in women aged 30 to 34.
But if she was given asthma treatment and it didn’t work, then that’s the clue. Perhaps her GP didn’t follow up on that diagnosis and treatment, or maybe she didn’t go back. It’s not about blame, though, it’s about avoiding it happening again.
When it’s difficult to work out what’s wrong, I often try a treatment and monitor the response, but the only way I’ll know it didn’t work is if my patient tells me.
I don’t mind patients Googling symptoms, but they’re likely to see extremes – tummy pain is either IBS or stomach cancer. Patients are then either terrified or they dismiss it. That’s why you need a doctor, because they can tell the difference, or work through possible options.
ASK THE EXPERTS
There are other important instances where you should always see a doctor: persistent bloating, constant fatigue, pelvic pain, unexplained weight loss or a cough that won’t budge. Don’t decide “I’m probably stressed” or “It’s probably IBS”. If it’s persistent, get seen.
This sad story is a reminder that however healthy and fit you are, you can still get ill. Your chances are far lower, but it is possible.
The lesson we can all learn is to help your doctor. Diagnosis is complicated, so give as much detail as you can. If treatments don’t work, go back; if you feel they aren’t listening, ask for a second opinion. Trust your instincts, and never think you’re wasting anybody’s time.