15 Cancer Symptoms No Woman Should Ever Ignore

More than a quarter of a million women lose their lives to cancer every year in the United States. Knowing the signs of cancer can help you recognize this deadly disease and get the treatment necessary. When the majority of cancers are diagnosed and treated early, the outcome is often favorable with our current medical technology. Here we will discuss 15 symptoms of cancer that all women need to know about because they often ignore until it is too late.

Losing Weight

As women, losing weight is something we are often striving for. However, when this weight loss is unexplained and seems to come out of nowhere, it generally indicates that there is something wrong. If you are losing weight without trying or losing more than what is normal for you, get in to see your doctor right away.

Being Bloated

Bloating is so very common for us women. Our monthly cycles or just eating the wrong food can bring bloating, but so can ovarian cancer. If you notice bloating that seems to be persistent, occurring more often or is worse than what is usual for you, call your doctor.

Abnormal Bleeding

If you are getting ready to enter menopause, you may have abnormal periods and it could be normal. However, it could also indicate a problem. If you are not pre-menopausal and are experiencing abnormal bleeding, call your doctor. If you notice any other issues with bleeding that are a little off or strange, call your doctor. Abnormal bleeding could indicate endometrial cancer.

Changes in Your Breasts

As a woman, you likely know your breasts well and are able to spot or feel odd or abnormal changes. If you notice any changes, always let your doctor know. Breast cancer is often very treatable when caught early. Also, make sure you are also getting your mammograms as you should and always doing your monthly self-exams.

Changes in Your Skin

Skin cancer is very common, and like breast cancer, generally very treatable when caught early. Keep an eye on your skin, especially on your moles for changes. Also, look at your skin pigmentation for changes. Any changes and you should be calling your doctor. Any abnormal skin changes should be evaluated by a doctor.

Swallowing Issues

If you are noticing issues with swallowing, this could indicate GI cancer. Esophageal cancer is a GI cancer that may cause swallowing issues. If you notice that swallowing is more difficult, see your doctor.

Depression Plus Abdominal Pain

These are two symptoms that could mean pancreatic cancer. Why depression results from pancreatic cancer is not well understood, but it is often seen. So, if you are having these two symptoms, call your doctor.

Blood Where it Should Never Be

There are many places you should not see blood, such as in your urine or stool. If in your stool, it could indicate colon cancer. If in your urine, it could indicate kidney or bladder cancer. If you are coughing up blood, it could indicate lung cancer. Any misplaced blood and you should call your doctor.

Oral Changes

If you notice any changes in your mouth, a call to your doctor may be warranted. This is something smokers should be especially aware of. Oral cancers can cause a variety of symptoms, such as white patches in and on the various structures of your mouth or bleeding.

Indigestion

This is something most of us will experience at some point in life due to eating the wrong thing and in most cases, it is going to be a one time thing and harmless. However, if you are experiencing indigestion often and/or without an apparent cause, it is time to give your doctor a call. It could indicate stomach, throat or esophageal cancer.

Pain

Pain is always an indicator that something is wrong, but this "wrong" is not always cancer, though it can be. If you are experiencing pain that is unexplained or persistent, give your doctor a call.

Lymph Node Changes

If you have a lymph node that is swollen, it is time to call your doctor. A swollen lymph node could mean a variety of things, including cancer.

Fatigue

Fatigue is something millions of women battle for a variety of reasons. It is often a symptom of cancer, both late and early stage. In early stage, it may occur in some stomach or colon cancers or leukemia. If you have fatigue that you cannot explain, see your doctor.

Fever

If you have an unexplained fever, it is time to see your doctor. Fever is generally seen in cancers that have spread, but it may also be seen in the early stage in certain blood cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia.

Persistent Cough

Coughs are common and can occur with a variety of things, but when a cough is persistent, it is best to have your doctor check it out. A persistent cough should really be checked out in those who smoke.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cancer and Women