Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The right facts. The right diagnosis
Ensuring your knows your risk factors
Why hasn’t my doctor spoken to me about ?
is a known risk for cancer patients1. However, your may have chosen to focus on other important aspects of your cancer treatment first and foremost. Especially if your risk is relatively low, some doctors may prefer not to raise every possible complication to your attention, as there is no need to add extra worry.
Watch our video about formation and symptoms of a
If is hard to detect, what should I do?
If you have cancer your best course of action is to watch out for any symptoms of or of pulmonary embolism (), which is a complication, caused by . Common warning signs of include2: discomfort, pain or swelling in the leg and discolouration. If you start to feel short of breath or have chest pain, it could be a sign of a , which can be far more serious and requires immediate medical attention. If you often experience shortness of breath as a result of your cancer or cancer treatment, then you can speak with your doctor about how to know the difference.
Interested to know more? Watch our video about formation and symptoms of
What else should I know about?
Another way to be prepared is by knowing about other factors that could add to your existing levels of risk3, including certain conditions or diseases, medications and lifestyle habits. As well, it can help to know which types of cancer and treatments are associated with a higher likelihood of developing . You can find more information about this throughout this site and from your doctors or nurses.
When to speak with your doctor?
Your should know about the risks of , so it should come as no surprise if you want to discuss the topic or ask specific questions. If you have no extra risk for , your doctor should provide a short description of along with which symptoms to be aware of.
If you have done your own research and identified additional risk factors on top of your cancer treatment, it is a good idea to mention this information to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend ways to decrease your risk of getting ; at the least, he or she will want to be aware of your situation.
If you experience symptoms, make sure that you book an appointment, and have a proper discussion with your doctor about your symptoms. You can come prepared with a record of when you have experienced a -related symptom and exactly what happened. In addition, you may want to remind your doctor of any extra risk factors that you have identified. By providing your doctor with a clear picture of the situation, you can help be sure to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.
