Cancer is now more frequent than it has ever been! According to studies, women often overlook these cancer warnings.
Ovarian, skin, cervical, lung, endometrial, colon, and breast cancers are among the most common malignancies in women. Recognizing these cancers and what you’ll do to try and avoid or discover them early might help you live longer. Breast cancer is the most frequent kind of cancer that women get throughout their lives (except for skin cancer). It may strike at any age, although the risk increases with age. Some women may have a higher risk of breast cancer than others due to various reasons. However, every woman should be aware of breast cancer and what can be done to prevent it.
Women’s bodies are always changing. Their bodies go through various phases of development, yet occasionally the body can take an abnormal course. Women should be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer. Being able to detect early signals might save a life! It’s important to be educated, so here are 15 early symptoms that women shouldn’t overlook.
Changes in the Breast
Although most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, your doctor should examine them. Notify our doctor of any changes to the skin, such as redness, nipple discharge, inward-turning nipples, puckering, dimpling, and scaling of the nipple or breast skin.
Bloating
Women are natural bloaters, according to Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. However, she advises that if your symptoms do not improve over time, or if they are accompanied by bleeding or weight loss, you should consult a doctor. Bloating that persists might be a sign of ovarian cancer. You’ll undergo blood tests, a pelvic exam, and an ultrasound if necessary.
Bleeding in Between Periods
If you still get periods, let your doctor know if you’re spotting. There are a variety of reasons for bleeding that isn’t part of your regular monthly cycle, but your physician would want to rule out endometrial cancer.
Changes in the Skin
Skin cancer may be detected by changes in the size, shape, or color in some spots. Consult your doctor for a complete examination and, if necessary, a biopsy. According to Meyers, this is one occasion when you don’t want to wait.
Blood in the Stool or Urine
If you’re bleeding in any body part, and that doesn’t usually happen, talk to your doctor. Particularly if the bleeding lasts longer than a day or two, Meyers advises. Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of bloody stool, but they may also be a sign of colon cancer. According to Herbert Lepor, MD, a urologist at NYU Langone, bloody urine is frequently the first indicator of kidney or bladder cancer.
Changes in Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are tiny bean-shaped glands that are located throughout the body. Common illnesses cause the majority of the changes in them. However, some diseases, such as lymphoma and leukemia, may cause lymph nodes to grow. If you develop a lump or swelling on your body that lasts a month or longer, Meyers recommends seeing your doctor.
Swallowing Problems
It’s nothing to be concerned about if you have such problems once in a while. However, if it often occurs, particularly with vomiting or weight loss, your doctor should do a stomach or throat cancer screening.
Unusual Weight Loss
According to Meyers, the majority of unexpected weight loss is not caused by cancer. It’s generally caused by your thyroid or stress, she explains. But, it may also be an indication of pancreatic cancer. Cancers of the stomach and lungs are also conceivable. To rule out a condition, your doctor may order a variety of tests, such as CT scans and blood tests.
Heartburn
Heartburn can be caused by too much food, stress or alcohol, or stress (or all three). To evaluate whether your condition improves, Meyers recommends changing your diet for a week or two.
Mouth Changes
Watch for white or bright-red patches within your mouth or on your lips if you smoke. Oral cancer may be detected by both of these symptoms. A specialist can help you do the tests.
Fever
A fever that persists and cannot be explained might indicate leukemia or a different kind of blood cancer. Your doctor should gather information about your medical history and do a physical examination to determine the cause.
Fatigue
If your tiredness persists or you notice additional symptoms such as blood in your stool, see a specialist. Your doctor will go through your full medical history and do blood tests.
Urination Changes
Frequent urination, little volumes of pee, delayed urine flow, or a general alteration in bladder function are all signs you should look out for. Urinary infections (typically in women) or an enlarged prostate gland in males might produce these symptoms.
Pain That Can’t Be Explained
Discomfort may be caused by a variety of things, but unexplained pain that lasts a month or more might be an indication of bone, brain, or other tumors. Inquire with your doctor about any inexplicable or chronic discomfort.
Coughing
This is, without a doubt, one of the most common and varied symptoms on the list. Coughing may be caused by a variety of factors, the majority of which are minor and transient. Someone should be concerned if the cough lasts for many weeks.
It might be dangerous if you experience discomfort or shortness of breath when coughing. It’s dangerous if you cough up blood. Coughing is the most common indicator of lung cancer; thus smokers should pay attention to it.