15 Cancer Symptoms Women Should Not Ignore

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Better to go to the doctor once again.

1. Changes in the skin on the chest

Most often, breast lumps are not cancer. And yet, go for an examination if you find this or other symptoms in yourself:

• retraction of the skin or folds,
• inverted nipples
• nipple discharge
• redness or flakes on the skin of the nipples and breasts.

To determine the cause of these symptoms, your doctor will order a mammogram or biopsy (taking a small piece of tissue for examination).

2. Bloating

If it does not go away for a long time, is accompanied by weight loss or bleeding, be sure to see a doctor. Persistent bloating can be a sign of breast, colon, gastrointestinal, ovarian, pancreatic, or uterine cancer.

Depending on other symptoms, a gynecological examination, blood test, mammography, colonoscopy, computed tomography or ultrasound are prescribed.

3. Bleeding outside of your period

Bleeding that does not fit into your typical cycle can have very different causes. However, you need to be screened for endometrial cancer. It is the mucous membrane that lines the uterine cavity.

If bleeding occurs after menopause, see your doctor right away.

4. Moles

If the mole changes size, shape, color, or you have new moles, see your doctor right away. Don't be put off. This is a common sign of cancer. You need to undergo a thorough examination.

5. Blood in urine and feces

If you observe this symptom for more than a couple of days, see your doctor. Most often, bloody stools are a sign of hemorrhoids. But it is also caused by colon cancer. And blood in the urine is usually the first signal for bladder and kidney cancer. But do not rush to panic, it could be just an inflammation of the bladder - cystitis.

6. Changes in the lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped formations. Lymph flows through them, coming from various organs. They usually increase during infectious diseases. But they also swell and become tender in some cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. See your doctor if the bloating or swelling lasts more than a month.

7. Difficulty swallowing

It's okay if it happens sometimes. But if this happens frequently and is accompanied by vomiting or weight loss, you should be screened for throat, esophageal, and stomach cancers.

In this case, endoscopy ("swallowing a light bulb"), computed tomography of the neck, chest and abdomen are prescribed. An x-ray examination may be prescribed using a barium suspension: the patient drinks a special liquid, the pharynx and stomach are highlighted on the x-ray.

8. Weight loss

Most women dream that those extra pounds will disappear on their own. But if you have not changed your diet and exercise regimen, weight loss speaks of problems in the body. Especially if you have lost more than five kilograms.

More often than not, this is not related to cancer. Causes can be stress or thyroid disease. But cancer cannot be ruled out: pancreas, colon, stomach or lungs.

9. Heartburn

Most often it is caused by overeating, excessive alcohol consumption or stress. Or all three reasons together. Change your diet and wait one to two weeks. If your heartburn persists, see your doctor.

Frequent long-term heartburn is a symptom of stomach and throat cancer. Even if your heartburn isn't caused by cancer, it can damage the lining of your esophagus and lead to conditions like Barrett's esophagus. With it, normal cells of the esophagus are replaced by precancerous ones.

10. Stains in the mouth

Look for yellow, gray, white, or bright red spots in the mouth and lips. Especially if you smoke. All of these can signal oral cancer. See a general practitioner or dentist for an examination.

11. High temperature

A temperature that does not pass for a long time and is not explained by other diseases can signal leukemia or other hematological malignancies. Don't put off going to the doctor. He should ask you about previous illnesses and schedule the necessary examination.

12. Fatigue

Of course, it is often attributed to stress at work or constant rush. But if it does not go away for a long time, this is no longer normal.

See your doctor, first to an endocrinologist, if fatigue does not disappear even after rest or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as bloody stools. The doctor will order blood tests and other tests.

13. Cough

The cough usually goes away on its own in three to four weeks. If it lasts longer, do not delay going to the doctor. Especially if you smoke or suffer from shortness of breath. If you cough up blood, go to the hospital immediately.

14. Pain

Pain in the body can be caused by various diseases, including cancer of the bones, brain, or other organs. When the swelling has spread, the pain may be persistent. If incomprehensible pain sensations last more than a month, be sure to go to the doctor.

15. Abdominal pain and depression

Abdominal pain along with depression can signal pancreatic cancer. This happens quite rarely, so don't panic right away. Cancer is suspected only if pancreatic cancer is an inherited condition in your family. Then you need to get tested as soon as possible.