How long can someone have cancer before is diagnosed?

[lumplessincali]

How long can someone have a cancer and not know it? Can someone be totally healthy and have a cancer?

[dumplingmuffin]

some people have cancer and die before it is detected

[?soulja~girl?]

it edpends what kind of cancer small cell lung cancer can hide and then when you find it bam its everywhere!
you can be totally healthy!

[Autumlief]

There are several people who aren't diagnosed until they are stage IV. This means that the cancer has metastasized to a major organ, usually the liver. In these cases, the person is not healthy, has the feeling of doom, usually knows there's something definitely wrong with their health, and even suspects cancer. People who wait, are usually scared. I have seen patients who have been diagnosed with stage IV cancer live prosperous lives after being treated.

[shygal9]

A long time if you aren't getting regular physicals and mammograms and stuff to watch for irregularities. I have heard of someone having it for 5-6 years before they knew anything was wrong..

[Aeroman]

if you have cancer, you're not healthy... But, I get what you mean. Usually, some kinds of symptoms will start fairly early. It just depends on what type of cancer it is. What's important is being able to RECOGNIZE the symptoms. If you don't pay any attention and you ignore symptoms, then it will simply progress into a more serious stage with more serious symptoms.

[That bird from London]

Yes, i had breast cancer 5 years ago and didnt have any symptoms until it was picked up by a lump, my oncologist said it had been there about 3 years which is scary, cancer does not ususally display any symptoms until its in its advanced stages.

[Hippie C]

It differs with different people and different types of cancer. You aren't totally healthy and have cancer. You can appear and feel healthy and have cancer or you can be given a clean bill of health and then discover you have cancer shortly after. But there are no "rules" as to how long you can have it and not know just like there are no "rules" about how long you will live or if you will recover.