A woman's body is forever changing with changes in hormones. At times the changes that seem to be normal, can be signs of cancer. Permanent coughing, sore throat, that cannot be cured, unexplained weight loss are just a few symptoms of the possible presence of cancer. At a glance these changes may seem to be harmless in daily life, but it's recommended to pay closer attention to them.
Studies conducted at Cancer Research UK shows that nearly 50% of the people tend to ignore the cancer symptoms thinking that these are symptoms are normal & eventually pass.
If you or your loved ones notice any of the below changes, you need to visit a doctor:
1. Breast changes
Usually the breast lumps aren't cancer, but consult your doctor & get it diagnosed. You might want to let her know about these changes, too:
- Skin dimpling or puckering.
- Nipples that turn inward.
- Nipple discharge.
- Redness or scaling of your nipple or breast skin.
To look for the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history. You may also have tests like a mammogram or a biopsy when doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue for testing.
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2. Bloating
"Women are natural bloaters," says Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. "It's OK to wait a week or two to see if it goes away."
If your condition doesn't get better with time, or if they experience any weight loss or bleeding, see a doctor. Constant bloating could be an alarming sign of cancer, including breast, colon, gastrointestinal, ovarian, pancreatic, or uterine. Depending on other symptoms, you will need to run some tests which could include a pelvic exam as well as blood tests, a mammogram, a colonoscopy, a CT scan or an ultrasound, to look for the cause of the problem.
3. Between-Period Bleeding
If you experience any bleeding even after your periods, tell your doctor. Bleeding that's not a part of your usual monthly cycle can have many causes, but your doctor will want to rule out endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of your uterus).
Bleeding after menopause is a serious sign of cancer and should be checked right away.
4.Skin Changes
Any evident changes in the size, shape or color of your moles, as well as development of new spots on your skin, are common signs of skin cancer. Consult your doctor for a thorough exam and perhaps a biopsy.
5. Blood in Your Pee or Stool
Consult your doctor if you notice any blood in urine or stool, especially if the bleeding lasts more than 2 days.
Bloody stool is often from hemorrhoids, but it can also be a symptom of colon cancer. Bloody urine is usually the first sign of cancer of the bladder or kidneys.
6. Changes in Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands around the body. Common infections might result in some changes. But some cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma, can also cause lymph nodes to swell and/or become tender.
It's advisable to see your doctor if you notice a lump or swelling anywhere in your body that lasts a month or more.
7. Trouble Swallowing
Occasional trouble while swallowing is nothing to worry about. But when it happens often, especially with vomiting or weight loss, you might want to see a doctor & check you for throat or stomach cancer.
They usually look into your symptoms with an endoscopy (a lighted tube down your throat), a CT scan of your neck, chest, and abdomen or a barium X-ray. During a barium test, you drink a special liquid that makes your throat and stomach stand out on the X-ray.
8. Unintentional Weight loss
Most women wish to lose weight magically. But losing 10 pounds or more without a change in your diet or exercise regime could be an alarm.
Most unplanned weight loss is not cancer. It's often caused by stress or your thyroid, but it can be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Other types of cancer such as colon, stomach, and lung cancers are also possible.
Your doctor may ask for a lot of tests to look for a problem, including blood tests and imaging tests, like PET or a CT scan.
9. Heartburn
Excessive intake of food, alcohol, or stress (or all three) can result in serious heartburn. You must change your diet for a few day to see if there's any improvement.
If that doesn't help, speak to your doctor. Heartburn that doesn't go away or gets worse could mean cancer of the stomach, throat, or ovaries. Also, persistent heartburn can damage the lining of your esophagus and lead to a condition called Barrett's esophagus. The condition raises the risk of developing throat cancer.
10. Mouth Changes
If you are a smoker, check for yellow, gray, white or bright-red patches inside your mouth or on your lips. You could also develop a canker sore that looks like an ulcer with a crater in it. Any of these can signal oral cancer. Ask your doctor or dentist about tests and treatment.
11. Fatigue
A lot of women get tired leading a hectic life. But extreme tiredness that won't go away isn't normal.
Talk to your doctor if your fatigue doesn't seem to get better or if you have other symptoms, like blood in your stool. Your doctor might ask for your complete medical history and give you blood tests.
12. Excessive Coughing
Most coughs get cured on their own in 3 to 4 weeks. Don't ignore one that lasts longer than that, especially if you smoke or are short of breath. If you cough up blood, go to the doctor. Coughing is the most common symptom of lung cancer.
13. Pain
Cancer doesn't cause most aches. But ongoing pain can signal bone, brain, or other cancers, especially ones which have spread. Consult your doctor for any unexplained aches that last a month or longer.
