Mercy Medical Oncologist, Dr. Sandy Kotiah, Discusses Cancer Symptoms

With all cancers, early diagnosis is key. Knowing what symptoms to look out for can literally be life-saving. According to Sandy D. Kotiah, M.D., Board Certified in Medical Oncology and Hematology and the Director of The Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy Medical Center, one area of concern is the breast. If you feel anything abnormal in your breast, let your doctor know right away, especially if it persists after your menstrual cycle. Also, if your menstrual cycles have changed and the bleeding has gotten heavier, you should get that checked as well.

"In general, what I want patients to know, men and women, is if there's anything that's not your normal, that you feel has changed and you don't have a good explanation for it, and it's been going on for some weeks, you should get that checked out," Dr. Kotiah said. She added that while in the best case scenario it may be nothing of serious concern, in the worst case scenario it can be cancerous and the earlier it is found, the better patients do.

To view Mercy medical oncologist Dr. Sandy Kotiah’s interview about women and cancer symptoms, click here.