It depends on the type of biopsy. If the doctor uses a simple needle, you’ll feel the prick and some discomfort — if he/she uses a wider needle, local anesthesia will be administered so that you don’t feel the pain when taking the biopsy.

 1. What are the early symptoms of colon cancer?

Early symptoms include: changes in bowel habits, unexplained diarrhea or constipation, feeling of incomplete evacuation of bowel or blood in stool.

 2.  What do I do if I see blood in my stool?

Go to your doctor, he should do a digital rectal exam (that means he will introduce his index finger into the anus to feel for any lumps or blood). Then, he will do a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (to see the inside of your colon). Finally, a biopsy may be done (take a piece of tissue for testing in the laboratory).

 3.  My brother had colon cancer. What should I do?

See your doctor/(gastroenterologist), who will advise you of the possible need of having a colonoscopy and how often it should be repeated.

 4.  Am I going to die if I have colon cancer?

No, you are not going to die — especially if you visit your doctor early, continue to do regular follow up tests and report any new changes in your condition to your doctor.

  5.  What is a colonoscope?

A colonoscope is an instrument in the shape of a tube with a special light and camera at its end. This devise will be introduced into the anus and up in the colon in order to visualize any abnormalities, taking a biopsy if needed. It requires a day's advance preparation in which, one may only consume fluids and a strong laxative to cleanse the bowel. On the day of the procedure, you need to come fasting, the doctor will give you local anesthesia so that you are relaxed during the examination.

 1. What are the early symptoms of lung cancer?

A chest infection that doesn’t resolve completely, a persistent cough that does not disappear, hoarseness of the voice, blood in sputum, tiredness and loss of weight.

 2.   What do I do if I see blood in my sputum?

See the doctor as soon as possible to have a complete physical exam and chest x-ray. You may also need additional scans including: a CT scan of the chest (specialized x-ray), bronchoscopy (a test that examines the inside of the air passages), and an examination of the sputum for malignant cells.

 3.  I have smoked for 20 years. Am I going to get lung cancer? What should I do now?

The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the number of years a person has smoked. Quitting now will prevent any extra damage, after five years the risk will drop to 50% and after 10 years the risk will drop to 0%. It’s never too late to quit!

 1. What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?

Urinary problems such as: not being able to pass urine, having a hard time starting or stopping the urine flow, frequent urge to urinate (especially at night), weak urinary flow, inconsistent urine flow (i.e. starting and stopping), pain or burning during urination, difficulty having an erection, blood in the urine or semen.

 2.  What do I do if I think I have a prostate problem?

See the doctor who will do a complete physical exam, a digital rectal exam (to feel the size, surface and texture of the prostate by introducing the finger through the rectum) then do a PSA (blood test).

 3.  What is a PSA test?

PSA is a blood test that is specifically designed for the prostate; a significant rise in blood levels may indicate the presence of prostate cancer.

 1. What are the early symptoms of stomach cancer?

Early symptoms include: hyperacidity, pain in the upper abdomen, feeling of fullness, nausea, and vomiting. Sometimes the vomit is accompanied by a loss of appetite, anemia, loss of weight, or is mixed with blood.

 2.  What is an upper endoscopy?

An upper endoscopy or gastroscopy is a test for the stomach and the esophagus. By introducing a special tube that has a light and a camera at the end, the doctor will be able to see the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth down to the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) and take a biopsy if needed. You should arrive at the test after an overnight fast.

 1. What are the early symptoms of leukemia?

Bleeding of the gums especially when brushing teeth, bruising on different parts of the body, repeated infections, feeling tired most of the time, bleeding from the nose, skin, vagina, urethra or rectum.

 2.  Can children have leukemia?

Leukemia is considered one of the most common cancers affecting children; another common childhood cancer is the brain tumor.

 3.  What is a bone marrow aspirate?

A bone marrow aspirate is a test used to diagnose leukemia. It is done by introducing a special long, wide needle into the bone marrow of certain bones (sternum or pubic bone). The procedure requires local anesthesia.

 1. What are Naevi?

Naevi are benign (non cancerous) collection of pigment making cells called melanocytes.

 2.Is it normal to have numerous Naevi?

Every body may have 20-40 naevi..

 3.  How do normal Nevi look?

Nevi are small, having regular borders, a smooth surface and even color.

 4.  Who is at high risk of developing melanoma? 

People with fair skin, blue-green eyes and light hair, are more at risk of developing skin cancer.

 5.  How can I avoid skin cancer?

Avoid direct sunlight for long hours especially during its peak hours between 12 noon and 4 pm.

 6.   I have had a nevus since I was born; what changes should make me worried?

Any naevus that changes in any way (gets larger, starts to itch, changes color, starts to ooze or bleed, changes in surface or appearance) should be seen by a doctor. It will also likely be removed and sent to the lab for testing.

 1. What are the early symptoms of bone cancer?

Early symptoms include: continuous bone pain that doesn’t respond to pain killers, a bony swelling or bone fracture that happens after no or a minimal fall.

 2.  I have a painful swelling around my thigh bone and I am afraid it is cancer. What should I do?

See an orthopedic surgeon who will examine you, take an X-ray, a CT scan or MRI, and a biopsy for testing.