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20 years
If I feel perfectly well, could it be possible to have some type of cancer which symptoms haven't shown yet? And if so, once the symptoms start to show, would it be too late to get cured?
Mar 1, 2015

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
This is a very broad question, and very iffy. Yes it is possible to have a very early stage cancer (molecular and cellular level cancerous changes) that is very indolent and insidious in nature (grows rather slowly) and causes no symptoms, or symptoms that are rather subtle, but chances are very very low in young and otherwise healthy individuals. So focusing on such an very low possibility is unhealthy and cases unnecessary stress, and may very well interfere with your normal daily functioning.
Now some cancer types tend to manifest at advanced stages, like lung cancer and pancreatic cancer, but these constitute the exception rather than the rule. The cure rate depends not only on the cancer stage, but also on the type of cancer itself, for some cancers, ever with a delayed diagnosis, have better chances of response to therapies and hence higher cure rates.
Again, my advice for you: do not obsess about it, and enjoy your young years in happiness, a positive outlook, and a constructive manner!
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