An early diagnosis can vastly increase the chance of survival in people who do have cancer
Many people miss the opportunity for early cancer diagnosis, which can be life-saving. Stigma, ignorance or fear can all lead to many symptoms being overlooked.
Macmillan Cancer Support reports that over 400,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK. On average, someone in the UK is diagnosed with the disease every 90 seconds.
The charity estimates that nearly 3.5 million people are living with cancer in the UK. Sadly around 167,000 people die from the disease annually – averaging 460 deaths every day.
However early diagnosis can significantly increase survival rates for those with cancer. According to Dr Gareth Nye, a Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Salford, one room in the house could be an ideal place to monitor your health.
He has joined bathroom experts Victorian Plumbing to raise awareness of how to spot these health issues, reports Surrey Live. And the smallest room in the house might be a good place to start looking for them.
For instance, all prostate cancer symptoms listed on the NHS website can be identified in the bathroom. Despite the fact that lumps, which could indicate breast or testicular cancer, can be easily discovered in the shower, only one in ten men or women perform a simple check for them, according to a survey of 500 people.
Dr Nye advised: “The best way to check for abnormalities is to understand what is normal for you, in essence, you need to be regularly checking yourself throughout your life to notice anything abnormal.”
He emphasised: “It is incredibly vital you are regularly checking your whole body for changes. The earlier you notice the better your outcome if it is something serious. Being active and aware is your biggest tool in staying happy and healthy.”
He added: “There are very few times during the day when you are fully undressed, have time and have access to warm water or scales. There is a wide range of valuable information that can be looked at whilst in the bathroom more than anywhere else.”
Experts reveal that 86% of male-specific conditions and 82% of female-specific conditions have symptoms that are more noticeable in the bathroom. The expert highlighted some key cancers and other health issues which can be spotted in the bathroom.
Breast or testicular cancer
Dr Nye suggests: “Understanding your breasts or testicles normally is one of the easiest places to start. It’s key to be able to feel any new lumps or growths. Look for changes in shape, size or colouration of the breast and areola.”
Skin cancer
Regarding skin cancer, Dr Nye said: “Skin changes or moles are another very common issue which can be monitored easily. You should be aware of the moles on your body and be looking for any changes in terms of shape, size and colour.
“Any new mole, moles which have irregular edges, or are not symmetrical, should be assessed by a healthcare professional.”
Prostate, bowel and bladder cancer
“Whilst in the bathroom, taking time to understand your bowel and bladder can be key to early issue detection,” warns the doctor. “Being aware of how frequently you are going to the toilet is important as well as noting the amount, colour, and consistency of the product.”
Bleeding
Dr Nye said: “For women, understanding what is a normal menstrual period and loss is useful to help establish any changes. Bleeding out of your monthly cycle or particularly heavy bleeding may suggest underlying issues.”
Victorian Plumbing quizzed 500 people on their bathroom habits. Their research found almost half spend less than 10 minutes in the shower.
Unusual bleeding or bruising and changes in urine colour were both male and female’s top three concerning symptoms. Changes in urination frequency, hair loss, and unexpected weight changes were the symptoms they worried least about.
Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing says: “The data shows that Brits are more often than not, not checking for any health-related abnormalities regularly, and also not allowing themselves the time to do so. We live in a fast-paced world, but the evidence shows that checking yourself is the only thing between you and an early diagnosis.
“Here at Victorian Plumbing, we are more than aware of how a bathroom serves you; it’s more than a toilet and shower, it’s a place for you to care for yourself in solitude. If our findings provide you with anything, we’d hope to enlighten you to take just a minute and check yourself for any symptoms you may previously have ignored.”
