Too often women dismiss subtle symptoms that can help diagnose and treat cancer at an early stage. Be aware of these commonly overlooked signs that warrant attention and perhaps medical advice.
Keep in mind that having any of these symptoms does not mean cancer is necessarily present. Other diseases or temporary illnesses can also cause some of these symptoms. Still, don’t be shy about discussing these particular concerns with your doctor when they appear. It could be nothing, but bringing it up could also save your life.
1. Nipple or breast changes on one side—Early signs of breast cancer can include any redness, swelling, discharges, dimples, lumps, puckerings or rough spots; also flattened, inverted or turned nipples.
2. Unusual bleeding/spotting or discharge from vagina, rectum on in urine—Symptoms could be accompanied by pain or unpleasant odors and includes unexpected, painful and unusually heavy periods, bleeding after intercourse or blood in the urine. Unusual bleeding can be a warning sign of cervical, uterine or colorectal cancers.
3. Change in bowel or bladder—Symptoms include continual constipation, diarrhea, or stomach aches; also more frequent urination or pain while urinating or while having a bowel movement. These symptoms can sometimes be related to colon, bladder or kidney cancers.
4. Sudden or recurrent bloating, abdominal/pelvic pain—Look for an on and off “my jeans don’t fit” syndrome that is not related to the menstrual cycle; also, pain or abdominal tenderness and feeling full or unable to eat. These subtle signs may indicate ovarian cancer—one of the more difficult cancers to catch in early stages.
5. Unexplained weakness, weight loss or gain that is not associated with changes in activity or diet can be symptoms of colon cancer or other digestive system cancers.
6. Persistent sore throat, cough or hoarseness that isn’t a cold—These symptoms could include chest pain or ear ache and may indicate early stage lung cancer, some leukemias or throat cancer.
7. Recurrent wheezing and shortness of breath—An unusual difficulty in breathing that is not associated with a cold, allergies or asthma many indicate early stage lung cancer.
8. Difficulty swallowing or frequent indigestion—Food may feel like it is always caught in the throat or you many have repetitive indigestion or vomiting with blood. These symptoms should be taken seriously as they can be linked to esophageal, throat or lung cancer.
9. Swollen lymph nodes—unusual lumps in the neck, under the arm or in the groin may indicate certain types of blood and lymphatic cancers.
10. Changes in a wart, mole, or skin spots—Melanoma and other types of skin cancer show up as spots that have unusual changes in color, size, shape, border; look for any spot that appears “different” or “funny” to you.
11. A sore that won’t heal, excessive bruising or bleeding—This includes sores on the lip, in the mouth or throat, skin lesions and genital sores or growths.
Article Links:
Fayed, L., About.com, 2007. "Top 10 Cancer Symptoms Women Need to Know."
http://cancer.about.com/od/cancersaffectingwomen/tp/womenssymptoms.htm
American Cancer Society, “Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Worksheet for Women,” http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_4_1x_Cancer_Prevention_Worksheet_for_Women_pdf.asp
National Cancer Institute, “Cancer Risk: Understanding the Puzzle,” http://understandingrisk.cancer.gov/
Related EmpowHer Link:
Browse cancer topics and learn more about prevention for women:
https://www.empowher.com/condition/cancer
Contributed by: D. Jenkins, Ph.D.
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Add a Comment5 Comments
This is just an article to raise awareness. not everyone realizes that that pain in their abdomen isn't completely normal. Not everyone visits their Doctor regularly to check up on mild to nonexistent symptoms than can occur with early cancer.
January 19, 2010 - 2:46pmThis Comment
I have had a pain on my right side in area of my liver for about 6 weeks now. Blood work is pretty close to normal tests show fluid around liver and liver is slightly enlarged. But they say can't figure out what is wrong. Some nausea, vomiting and acid reflux with it. Was hospitalized for 7 days still no answer. Get sharp pains in side. It's getting worse. Finally get to go to mayo clinic. Weight loss of 10 lbs in in middle of all this. Very tired. Still searching for answers.. not drinker or drug user.
August 2, 2017 - 1:01amThis Comment
I think this article is just going to make women get extremely paranoid and force themselves to think that they have these symptoms and therefore a number of different cancers. That will cause stress and naturally weaken the immune system and therefore they will feel like they can relate even more to this list.
January 19, 2010 - 6:03amWhile negligence should be avoided, that should be taken up with your doctor, they worked hard to get their medical degree for a reason. Don't play Doctor Google people.
This Comment
Don't be a troll.....
January 19, 2010 - 2:47pmThis Comment
The main factor in fighting breast cancer is an early diagnose. Negligence results to fatal death not only in breast cancers but to any diseases.
October 28, 2009 - 10:18pmBrain Tumor Warning Signs
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