Cancer in the body, neck prophet? Reminder: 3 abnormalities in the neck, or cancer warning
Recently, when Mr. Liu was washing his face, he accidentally felt a lump near the Adam's apple on his neck.
Because it didn't hurt or itch, he didn't pay attention to it, thinking that it was probably caused by being too tired recently.
But after half a month, Mr. Liu found that he always had a low-grade fever and did not get better after taking antipyretics.
The doctor inquired about the situation and prescribed a B-ultrasound examination, and the result turned out to be papillary thyroid cancer!
He never thought that what he thought was just an inconsequential little lump would be related to cancer.
As an important part of the body, the neck can sometimes become a "signal light" for health problems.
Some subtle cancers may first show their feet on the neck, so what abnormalities in the neck are worthy of our vigilance?
01
Why do many people have a black mole on the back of their neck?
A melanocytic nevus, medically known as a "melanocytic nevus", is a benign skin neoorganism that is formed based on the movement of melanocytes during the embryonic period.
Normally, these cells should move smoothly from the neural crest to the epidermis, but sometimes they cluster abnormally in certain areas, forming moles.
Moles on the back of the neck are especially common, which is not only related to genetic factors, but also closely related to sun exposure in everyday life.
Since most people tend to neglect the back of the neck during their daily sun protection, the effects of UV rays on this area are particularly pronounced, and prolonged exposure to UV rays can promote the proliferation of melanocytes, which can lead to the formation of moles.
It is important to note that although these moles are benign in most cases, if the mole changes in color, size, or shape, or if symptoms such as pain or bleeding appear, it can be an early sign of skin cancer.
For moles on the back of the neck, especially those that exhibit unusual features, doctors often recommend further observation or treatment to prevent cancer.
02
3 abnormalities in the neck, or cancer warning
1. The back of the neck becomes black
This may be a sign of acanthosis nigricans, which is not only related to genetics, but also more to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
The darkening of the back of the neck may not cause pain, but this increased pigmentation may indicate an underlying health problem, such as a malignancy.
If accompanied by other symptoms, such as a rash or skin tags, this change is even more alarming.
2. A lump appears in the neck
The nature of a lump in the neck can be judged by the "three 7s" rule.
If the lump appears for about 7 days, most of the time it may be caused by inflammation.
If the duration reaches 7 months, it is necessary to be alert to the possibility of malignant tumors such as thyroid cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer.
Most of the lumps that last up to 7 years are benign tumors such as lipomas or fibroids.
We should be more vigilant about lumps that are larger than 2 cm, hard, irregularly shaped, poorly mobile, and painless, because these features are often associated with malignancy.
3. The voice is inexplicably hoarse
If the factor of overuse of the voice is ruled out, persistent hoarseness may be associated with laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, lymphoma, lung cancer, etc.
In the absence of an obvious cause, hoarseness persists for more than two weeks, and a diagnosis from a medical professional should be sought as soon as possible to avoid delays in treatment.
03
How can I change my lifestyle habits to prevent cancer?
Experts emphasize that the occurrence of cancer is the result of a combination of factors, and many unhealthy lifestyle habits may increase the risk of cancer.
By changing our lifestyle habits, we can effectively reduce this risk:
1. Choose a healthy diet
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents, we should ensure that we eat a diversified diet with more vegetables, fruits, soybeans and dairy products, and moderate consumption of lean meat, eggs and fish.
At the same time, minimizing sugar and salt intake and limiting alcohol consumption are healthy eating habits that play an important role in cancer prevention.
2. Don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke
Studies have shown that smoking is strongly associated with the development of lung cancer and many other cancers.
For the sake of their own health and that of their families, non-smokers should avoid secondhand smoke, and smokers should quit as soon as possible.
3. Drink alcohol in moderation
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer, especially excessive alcohol consumption.
The best way to prevent cancer is to avoid alcohol, or at least minimize the amount of alcohol you drink and avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol at once.
4. Keep exercising and maintain a healthy weight
A moderate body weight can help reduce the risk of several types of cancer.
A healthy weight can be determined by subtracting 100 from your height (cm) (minus 105 for women) to get your ideal weight in kilograms.
It's recommended to do at least half an hour a day of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, to not only help with weight control, but also improve overall health.
It's crucial to pay attention to every small change in your body, and the neck, as the body's "signal light", can sometimes really tell us in advance about the existence of some health problems.
When we notice an abnormal signal in the neck, we must seek medical attention in time to avoid missing the best time for treatment.