Some of the cancers that most often affect women are breast, colon, endometrial, lung, cervical, skin, and ovarian cancers. Knowing about these cancers and what you can do to help prevent them or find them early (when they are small and easier to treat) may help save your life.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer that women may face in their
lifetime (except for skin cancer). It can occur at any age, but the risk
goes up as you get older.
Because of certain factors, some women may have a greater chance of
having breast cancer than others. But every woman should know about
breast cancer and what can be done about it.
Women’s bodies change all the time.
Women experience many different stages of growth in their bodies, but
sometimes your body can take an unnatural path. Women should be well
aware of the warning signs of cancer.
Many women will have early warning signs of cancer. Being able to
recognize early warning signs of cancer might be able to save a life! It
is important to stay informed, so here are 15 early warning signs of
cancer that women shouldn’t ignore.
Breast Changes – Most breast lumps aren’t cancer, but your doctor
should always check them. Let her know about changes such as skin
dimpling, skin puckering, nipples that turn inward, nipple discharge, or
redness and scaling of the nipple or breast skin.
Bloating – Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at NYU Langone
Medical Center says that women are natural bloaters. But she also says
that If your symptoms don’t get better with time, or if they happen with
weight loss or bleeding, see a doctor. Constant bloating can sometimes
mean ovarian cancer. You’ll have a pelvic exam as well as blood tests,
and sometimes an ultrasound.
Between-Period Bleeding – If you’re still getting periods, tell
your doctor if you’re spotting between them. 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).
Skin Changes – A change in the size, shape, or color of a mole or
other spot is a common sign of skin cancer. See your doctor for a
thorough exam and perhaps a biopsy. This is one time you don’t want to
wait, Meyers says.
Blood in Urine or Stool – Talk to your doctor if you’re bleeding
from a part of your body that normally doesn’t, especially if the
bleeding lasts more than a day or two, Meyers says. 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, says Herbert Lepor, MD, a urologist at NYU’s Langone.
Lymph Node Changes – Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands
around the body. Most changes in them come from common infections. But
some cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma, can also cause lymph
nodes to swell. It’s a good idea to see your doctor if you have a lump
or swelling anywhere in your body that lasts a month or more, Meyers
says.
Trouble Swallowing – Occasional trouble swallowing is nothing to
worry about. But when it happens often, especially with vomiting or
weight loss, your doctor may want to check you for throat or stomach
cancer.
Random Weight Loss – Most unintended weight loss is not cancer,
Meyers says. “It’s often caused by stress or your thyroid, but it can be
a sign of pancreatic cancer,” she says. 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 a CT scan.
Heartburn – Too much food, alcohol, or stress (or all three) can
cause serious heartburn. Meyers suggests that you change your diet for a
week or two to see if your symptoms get better.
Mouth Changes – If you smoke, watch for white or bright-red
patches inside your mouth or on your lips. Both can signal oral cancer.
Ask your doctor or dentist about tests and treatment.
Fever – A fever that doesn’t go away and can’t be explained could
mean leukemia or another blood cancer. Your doctor should get the
details of your medical history and give you a physical exam to check
for the cause.
Fatigue – Talk to your doctor if your fatigue never gets better
or if you have other symptoms, like blood in your stool. Your doctor
will ask for your complete medical history and give you blood tests.
Change in Urination – Urinary symptoms can include frequent
urination, small amounts of urine, and slow urine flow or a general
change in bladder function. These symptoms can be caused by urinary
infections (usually in women) or, in men, by an enlarged prostate gland.
Unexplained Pain – Pain can be a result of numerous conditions,
but ongoing pain which is unexplained and lasts a month or longer can
signal bone, brain, or other cancers. Ask your doctor about any
suspicious prolonged and unexplained pain.
Coughing – This is probably one of the most mundane and diverse
symptoms on the list. There are a ton of different reasons that people
cough, and more often than not they are trivial and temporary in nature.
It’s when a cough persists over the course of weeks that someone should
voice concern.
If you find yourself in pain or shortness of breath during a cough it
could be serious. If you cough up blood, it is serious. Smokers should
pay particular attention to coughing, as it’s the most typical sign of
lung cancer.
