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8 cancer symptoms you CANNOT ignore
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Make sure you see a doctor if you have any of these potentially cancerous symptoms. - photo by Tana Bolinger
Although some people recover gracefully, cancer has likely taken away at least one of your family members within the past five years. This is not only because there is currently no cure for cancer, but because symptoms go undiagnosed until it is far too late.

Seeking medical advice when you notice one of these eight symptoms is the best way to ensure you have another day with your loving family. Dont overlook these eight signs:

1. Serious back pain and body exhaustion

Stress, excessive walking or being pregnant can cause back pain and that is normal. If the body exhaustion does not have an immediate cause, this may be a sign of ovarian cancer. Especially if the pain is followed by fatigue, this problem needs to be addressed with your doctor immediately.

2. Difficulty breathing

Asthma is a common condition that can be found in even the healthiest of individuals. Even with this condition, there are simple ways that you can catch your breath. With asthma or without, if you are finding it difficult to breath, and your inhaler is not helping, dont ignore it. Seek help from a professional.

3. Excessive weight gain or loss

Your diet hasnt changed, but you have noticed a rapid change in your weight. It has gotten to the point that it concerns you and you think something may be wrong. Once you have reached this point, it is very important that you realize this could be a sign of stomach or pancreatic cancer.

4. Dry coughing

It may not seem like a dangerous cough, but it can soon become much more than that. If bleeding occurs alongside the dry cough and hoarseness, be sure to visit the doctor to determine whether you have lung cancer.

5. Unusual bleeding

Excluding your usual menstrual cycle, if you notice that there is blood when you go to the bathroom, this could be a sign that there is a problem with your cervix. If you are experiencing this type of bleeding, dont wait it out; visit your doctor right a way.

6. Jaundice

When there are issues concerning your liver, your skin will take on a slight yellowing. This is one way you will be warned physically that your body is beginning to grow weak and starting to shut down. This is a definite link towards cancer.

7. Urination

Is your urine is darker than normal or starting to give off a strange smell? If this is happening to you, your ovaries may be trying to tell you something. Especially if you are not going to the bathroom very regularly, this is an issue that cannot be left alone.

8. Pelvic pain

If you think having pain in your pelvic area is normal, you must see a doctor as soon as possible. If there is swelling, frequent stomachaches or especially uncontrollable vomiting, this is a sign that your reproductive system is not functioning properly.

Cancer is not the only explanation for these issues, but it is common enough to not be ruled out.

Seeing a doctor with even the smallest irritation is wise. With new technology, health care has become more efficient and more accurate. Dont be afraid to visit the doctor because you are too scared to hear the worst. After all, if you want to be well enough to be around for years to come, you have to take care of your body.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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