Cancer message for youth
When 22-year-old Meagan Slater noticed her stomach was persistently bloated a few years ago, she thought she needed to do more exercise.
At the time, she did not know the inexplicable swelling was because of the germ cell ovarian cancer that had invaded her body.
It is one of the five most common symptoms of cancer in those aged 15 to 25.
In a campaign to be launched by Canteen today, young people are being urged to seek medical attention for unexplained and persistent pain, bumps or swelling, significant weight loss, fatigue, fever, or if a mole changes in size or colour.
Rachel Hughes, lead clinician at the WA Youth Cancer Services, said these symptoms were based on the most common types of cancer in young people, including melanoma, gonadal germ cell tumours and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Dr Hughes said the symptoms were often overlooked in the belief they were sports injuries. "The key message is to seek help where the symptom is persistent and there is no explanation for it," she said.
Ms Slater, who was cleared of cancer in May, is championing the free medical and psychological services available through Youth Cancer Services, which she credits for getting her through her darkest hours.
"One of the hardest things when you have cancer is losing a sense of yourself," the Glen Forrest retail assistant said.
"Watching my hair fall out made me feel like I was losing my identity."
About 100 West Australians aged between 15 and 25 are diagnosed with cancer each year.
