KNOW YOUR BODY. CHECK YOURSELF. ACT EARLY.
In the United States, 72,000 15-40 year olds are diagnosed with cancer EVERY YEAR.
REMEMBER:
No one knows your body better than you.
Cars have "check engine" lights, computers have virus scans. We have self-awareness.
Our best chance of fighting cancer is finding it early. Know your family's health history, go to the doctor when something doesn't feel right. If your doctor isn't taking your symptoms seriously, ask why. You are your best health advocate. You know your body.
Check Yourself - take a moment so you can live a lifetime.
Know Your Body
That means know your normal. What's normal? The answer is different for everyone one when it comes to your body. It's your regular pattern. You know your normal better than anyone else.
Your normal includes things like your typical energy level, sleep patterns, weight, and motor control. What if your normal changes? You find a new lump or bump, you feel fine but your voice is horse, you're really tired most of the time, you have sores that don't heal, persistent indigestion and so on. These health changes won't send you to the emergency room but if they don't go away after two weeks or if they are a little worse each day, they might be your body's way of telling you something bigger is wrong. If you don't return to your normal in two weeks – see a medical professional and get checked.
Changes in your normal can happen for reasons we don't understand and can be influenced by your family history and risk for disease. Use the links below to become aware of your risk and your normal.
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Know Your Family History:
Fill in your Family Medical History Form
Includes the top 12 types of cancer prevalent in YA age range. -
My Family Health Portrait
The US Surgeon General's interactive medical history tool. -
What's your Risk?
Take a few minutes to answer some questions to find out about your cancer risk. It doesn't tell you if you'll get cancer or not, but it does tell you where to focus your prevention efforts during self exams, lifestyle habits and doctor's visits.
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Check Yourself
Common signs and symptoms of cancer, self-exam instructions, what a physical exam should include.
