20 signs of cancer that women often ignore
That's why it's important to pay attention to your health and be alert to any changes, no matter how small. Women need to be especially alert to the following symptoms because they can be signs of cancer. Buy vitamins and supplements
1. Unusual bleeding
Women often ignore the signs of vaginal or rectal bleeding. However, this can often signal a more serious condition such as cancer of the womb or colon. These signs can often be frightening and women may not want to admit that they need further testing.
Tip: If you notice bleeding from a place where it shouldn't be coming from, it's best to see your doctor. Get checked every year and make sure you have all the age-appropriate screenings.
2. Constantly tired
If you feel tired all the time, regardless of when you sleep, rest or drink caffeine, it could be a sign of cancer. You may feel unmotivated and find yourself falling asleep several times a day.
Advice: Schedule regular checkups and make sure to get screening tests according to current medical guidelines, including Pap smears, mammograms, colonoscopies, and bone density tests. 3. BloatingBuy vitamins and supplements
20 signs of cancer that women often overlook - 1
Bloating, pain or heaviness from the pubic bone to the rib cage that lasts more than two weeks are warning signs of ovarian cancer.
4. Unusual increase in weight
Unusual increase in weight and changes in bowel habits can be subtle signs of ovarian cancer. The signs of ovarian cancer can be vague. Women can easily dismiss changes in bowel habits and weight gain as being due to menopause, aging, or poor diet.
The bottom line: Regardless of your family history, if these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, see your doctor.
5. Unusual Weight Loss
In today's age of weight loss, this symptom might be considered a blessing rather than a sign of trouble. But weight loss can be a problem, especially if it's accompanied by loss of appetite or changes in eating habits. A cancer that can manifest as unusual weight loss, including cancers of the esophagus, liver, colon, and pancreas, as well as leukemia or lymphoma. Advice: It is important to report any serious changes to your doctor as soon as possible to maximize your quality of life, treatment options, and chances of survival.
6. Changes in the skin
Any changes in a mole or freckle, or the appearance of new moles, could be a sign of skin cancer. Regular self-examination and reporting changes to a dermatologist can help with early detection and save lives.
Tip: To help with self-examination, remember the ABCDE acronym when assessing changes. A is for symmetry; B is for contour change; C is for color change; D is for diameter change, increase in size; and E is height, vertical growth or evolution, the lesion changes over time. If you observe any of these, see a doctor as soon as possible.
7. Skin changes in hard-to-see areas
How many people (women and men) check the skin on their backs, the tops of their heads, behind their ears, or on their feet? These areas are often scarred and are also at risk for skin cancer. Dark vertical stripes along the length of the nail, or toenail, are another common sign of scarred skin. They can be a sign of melanoma, a type of cancer of the nail.
Tip: Be sure to do a full body check every year to check for new or unusual changes or lesions on the skin. If they do occur, see your doctor for a medical evaluation and a skin biopsy if necessary.
8. Persistent Acne
Skin cancers on the head and neck can sometimes look like warts or boils.
Tip: Always keep an eye out for new lumps. If something is new or changing and persists after two weeks, see a dermatologist for a checkup.
9. Hoarseness
Hoarseness, also known as difficulty speaking, can be a sign of laryngeal cancer. Hoarseness is often caused by laryngitis or having to speak a lot, but it can be the first sign of cancer.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends an endoscopy after 4 weeks of persistent hoarseness. When laryngeal cancer is caught early, the cure rate is very high.
10. White or red patches in the mouth
If you have white or red patches in your mouth that last longer than a few weeks, be sure to see your doctor.
To catch oral cancer early, see your dentist twice a year and ask if regular cancer screenings are part of your dental hygiene checkups.
11. Irregular Periods
Irregular periods can be a sign of cancer, pain with spotting or even bleeding a few days between periods, unusual bleeding during a period, very heavy periods, bleeding after sex, having periods or bleeding many years after your period ends.
