15 Unbelievably Common Cancer Symptoms Women Usually Ignore
Cancer can be a fatal disease if not diagnosed at the right stage. However, the problem with cancer is that its early symptoms are quite similar to many other diseases. This is why it becomes difficult to identify cancer timely. However, if you pay attention to the following 15 signs and consult the doctor timely you can easily defeat cancer.
Frequently Occurring Flu Symptoms
If you feel that you get sick or feel feverish a lot lately than ever before, it might be the initial sign of leukemia. It is cancer of the blood in which the body starts producing white blood cells in an abnormally high number. This weakens the body’s immune system leading to weakening its ability to fight diseases and infections. Therefore, you should observe the frequency and intensity of flu signs closely such as fever, achiness, and infections.
Changes in Breast
Even slight changes in your breast should be taken as a warning sign of breast cancer. Signs like dimpling or lumpiness of the skin, tenderness, inverting of nipples, discoloration of skin (such as skin turning deep pink or red) or swelling are alarming. According to American Cancer Society’s chief cancer control officer Dr. Rich Wender, it doesn’t necessarily mean that these are breast cancer signs but women must not ignore them because sometimes ignorance isn’t bliss.
Continuous Bloating
Bloated abdomen is quite common among women in the beginning of their monthly cycle, and it naturally goes away when the periods are over. Some women may feel bloated when they are ovulating or constipated. But, consistent bloating is uncommon and must never be ignored as it may be a symptom of either uterine or ovarian cancer. If the bloating doesn’t go away, as per gastroenterologist Dr. Moshe Shike from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, it is better to consult a doctor as a majority of ovarian cancer patients experienced continuous bloating and ignored it due to which their condition worsened.
Unusual Pelvic Pain or Abnormal Periods
Women can have irregular periods, which is nothing out of the ordinary. However, if you notice abnormal changes in the flow (such as bleeding getting heavier every passing month) or you start getting your periods more than once in a month, this could be a sign of cancer. Similarly, if unusual periods are followed by pelvic pain, do get a trans vaginal ultrasound done to rule out the probability of ovarian, uterine or other type of vaginal cancer.
Prolonged, Intense Coughing
When you get cold, you cough a lot, and generally it goes away after a week or so. But, if you don’t observe any other signs of flu such as stuffy nose or fever, and the coughing continues for over 2-3 weeks with its intensity increasing day-by-day, this could be an early symptom of lung cancer. According to oncologist Dr. Maurie Markman from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, you need to identify the difference between regular and intense coughing; if you spit blood while coughing, seek medical help immediately. Leukemia can have similar symptoms such as a badly congested chest or bronchitis, and lung cancer patients also report about feeling chest pain that extends up to the shoulder and arm. So, better be safe than sorry and get yourself checked on time.
Abdominal Pain and Queasiness
Stomach pain or upset stomach is hardly any cause of concern as people may commonly experience it. However, if you get stomach cramps and feel nauseate all the time, it is not normal. It could either be because of ulcer or an early sign of liver, esophageal, colorectal, or pancreatic cancer.
Swallowing Issues
When you have a sore throat, you find it difficult to swallow food but the condition doesn’t last very long. If you notice swallowing issue for over a week with the problem getting worse, immediately see a doctor because this could be an early sign of lung cancer.
Unnatural Weight Loss
A majority of women believe that losing weight is good but what if you aren’t dieting or trying out different methods to lose weight and still you shed pounds and don’t feel hungry at all? This kind of weight loss is unnatural because you aren’t trying to lose weight but it is somehow occurring. Any unusual change in your dietary habits or unexplained drop in your weight should be taken seriously as it may be a sign of pancreatic, colon, liver, or esophageal cancer. It is also a common symptom of lymphoma and leukemia.
Continuous Lethargy or Fatigue
There will be days when your energy levels will be down probably because of not sleeping well and the next day you will feel more energetic. Every day is different when it comes to personal energy levels. But, continuously feeling fatigued, lazy, and lethargic isn’t normal. If you feel so every day and this feeling lasts for over a month followed by shortness of breath or something you haven’t ever experienced before, consult a doctor. Dr. Wender says that seeking help is important because persistent fatigue is a commonly reported cause of lymphoma and leukemia
Bad Headache
Headache isn’t uncommon; when we are stressed we are most likely to develop a bad headache. It also happens when you have migraine. But, if you aren’t prone to migraines and have never experienced headaches as frequently as you do now, please report it to the doctor. It may be a sign of brain tumor because it causes extreme pressure on our nerves, which usually results in headache.
Bloody Stool
Rectal bleeding in the stool can be a sign of hemorrhoids. But, this will be painless and you will see only a few strands of blood with the bowel movement. Moreover, bloody stool won’t occur repeatedly. Therefore, if it happens regularly then it could be a sign of colon cancer. Such symptoms are common in the elderly, especially people over 50 years. It is better to get necessary tests done instead of dismissing it as sign of constipation or hemorrhoids; besides bloody stool isn’t normal and if younger people observe it they should get checked as well, says Dr. Wender.
Changes in your Skin
Dr. Wender says that signs of skin cancer are the hardest to identify because the early symptoms include development of moles, freckles, and dark spots, which can happen otherwise as well. Such as, prolonged exposure to harsh sunrays can lead to freckled skin. So, how would you differentiate whether or not the unusual changes in skin are a sign of skin cancer? You should get alarmed if the spots are not round, have irregular shape or are too dark, and the mole keeps getting larger, darker and rises abnormally. These may be signs of a rather rare but deadly type of skin cancer Melanoma. According to Dr. Wender, Melanoma is curable and isn’t as invasive if it gets detected early on.
Persistent Mouth Sore or Mouth Pain
Generally, cold sore, mouth pain or even a toothache heals on its own and isn’t a cause of concern. But, if you notice that the sore doesn’t heal, the pain never goes, there are red or white patches on the tongue or the gums, and jaw gets numb or swelled, do get worried as these may be a sing of mouth cancer. Wait for a week and if the signs are still there, consult a doctor.
Strange Bruises
Bruises can be caused by even a slight stumble on the floor or if you bump into something. You may get bruises from time to time, and there is definitely nothing to worry about. However, it is quite unlikely that you will get bruises every other day, even without stumbling. So, if you notice mysteriously popping up bruises, especially at strange areas of your body such as, fingers or hands, please take it seriously. Research by the Cancer Treatment Centers of America suggests that unusual bruises can be an early symptom of Leukemia. Because leukemia cells make it difficult for the body to clot blood and carry oxygen to different organs.
Bleeding after Menopause:
Light spotting after menopause is normal as every woman’s body reacts differently to postmenopausal hormonal changes. However, if you notice period-like bleeding on a regular basis, there is every reason to be concerned. According to Dr. Markman, it could be a sign of uterine cancer. If uterine cancer gets detected at the first stage, the cancer can be prevented from spreading, and the five-year survival rate for women could be well over 88%, claims the American Cancer Society.