15 Cancer Warning Signs Women Snub

Women are more alert than men when it comes to getting recommended health checks and cancer screenings, so experts say. Women overall are eager to get possibly troublesome symptoms looked at, though not all the time. Most worrying are younger women who are inclined to snub warning signs that could potentially point to cancer. They believe cancer is an issue with older people. Yes this correct, but several young people get cancer too.

This having been said, there are some women who have the same capability as men to shift into a denial mode, and consciously ignore their cancer symptoms. It usually starts with rejection then denial, though not all the time. For some, there is a cultural perception that cancer can’t be cured so why bother.

Discussing troublesome warning signs is not meant to introduce panic into people’s lives or advise then to check out every little thing on their body.  So by building a strong balance between those who live in denial and the hypochondriacs, experts give 15 warning signs of cancer that may not be immediately worrying but should still be examined. Read the 15 possible cancer warnings signs women often snub.

1. Sudden weight loss

Many women are conscious about their weight and would be pleased to lose excess weight without a diet plan or exercise. But a sudden weight loss which can’t be explained like say 4.5kg a month without physical activity or diet plan should be examined. Most unplanned and mysterious weight loss is cancer unless an examination proves contrary. It might be another problem such as overactive thyroid. During a medical check, your doctor will likely run tests to check the thyroid and possibly run a CT scan of different organs in order to rule out all the possibilities.

2. Bloating

Bloating, or swelling, is so common that many women just ignore it and move on with life.  But it could be a warning sign for ovarian cancer. Other warning signs of ovarian cancer include abdominal pain or pelvic pain, feeling full quickly with little food, and urinary problems, such as a pressing need to visit the bathroom. If bloating becomes a daily occurrence and continues for a few weeks, a consultation with your doctor is a good step. He will do a detailed medical history, and then do a CT scan and blood tests, among others.

3. Breast changes

Breast lumps are not the only signs to point to cancer. Thickening of the skin on the breast and redness, which could indicate inflammatory breast cancer, also needs to be examined. If you have a rash that persists over weeks, it’s crucial to get it examined. Also if the appearance of the nipple changes or there’s discharge, and you’re not breastfeeding, see your doctor. There’s no cause for alarm if your nipples are inverted frequently.  It is the change in appearance that should be worrying. If there are changes in your breast, your doctor will do a detailed medical history, examine the breast, and do tests such as a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI and maybe a biopsy.

4. Abnormal bleeding

Premenopausal women don’t take between-period bleeding seriously, also is bleeding from the GI tract, erroneously thinking it is from their period. But between-period bleeding, especially if your period has a regular timing, needs to be examined, since it could be a symptom of colorectal cancer; while bleeding after menopause could be a warning sign for endometrial cancer. The important thing is to think about what is your normal. For instance if a woman never spots between periods and she spots, it’s not normal. For someone else, it might be. Endometrial cancer is a common gynaecologic cancer. At least 9 out of 12 women who get it have some abnormal bleeding as an early warning. Your doctor will do a detailed medical history and taking into consideration the timing of the bleeding, and other symptoms, probably do an ultrasound or biopsy.

5. Skin Alterations

We have been told to look for any alterations in moles – a popular warning sign of skin cancer. In addition it is important to look out for alterations in skin pigmentation. Any unexpected bleeding or excessive scaling on your skin should be examined.  Though it’s a bit tricky to determine how long to observe skin changes before consulting a doctor, most experts advise not longer than several weeks.  

6. Difficulty Swallowing

If you find it difficult to swallow, you may have already changed your diet to ease swallowing, perhaps turning to soups, soft or liquid foods. Experts say that difficulty swallowing could be a sign of a GI cancer, such as in the oesophagus. Your doctor will do a detailed medical history and tests such as a chest X-ray or exams of the GI tract.

7. Blood in unusual areas

If you notice blood in your urine or your stool, don’t take it as coming from haemorrhoids, it could be colon cancer. Your doctor will ask questions and likely do a test such as a colonoscopy, an exam of the colon to see if there’s cancer. If a woman is menstruating, seeing blood in the toilet bowl is normal.  But if not, it should be examined to rule out bladder or kidney cancer. Coughing up blood should also be analysed. One time blood in an unusual area may not signify anything, but if it occurs more than once, go see your doctor.

8. Persistent stomach pain and depression

Any woman who has got a pain in the abdomen and is feeling depressed needs a checkup. Some researchers have found a link between depression and pancreatic cancer, but the link is yet to be fully comprehended.

9. Indigestion

Indigestion as pregnancy progresses is normal. But indigestion that can’t be linked to any reason may be a dangerous warning signal. It could be an early clue to cancer of the esophagus, stomach or throat. Your doctor will do a detailed medical history and question you about the indigestion before recommending appropriate tests, if any.

10. Mouth Changes

This red flag warning is for smokers who should be conscious of any white patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue. Both can signal a precancerous condition called leukoplakia that can develop into oral cancer. Let your dentist or doctor examine and decide what action to take.

11. Persistent pain

There are more complaints of different aches and pains as people age, but even pain, as indefinite as it may be, can be an early warning sign of some cancers, though most pain complaints are not from cancer. Pain that persists and is unexplained needs to be examined. Your doctor will do a detailed medical history, and decide what further examination, if any, is needed.

12. Unusual lump

Any lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck, or anywhere else in your body, is troublesome. If a lymph node gets increasingly larger, and existing longer than a month, consult your doctor, who will examine and identify any linked issues such as infection which may explain the lymph node enlargement. If there are none existing, your doctor will normally order a biopsy.

13. Fever

A fever that can’t be put down to influenza or other infection can signify cancer. Fevers frequently happen after the spread of cancer from its original site, though it can also signify early blood cancers such as leukaemia or lymphoma.

14. Fatigue

Fatigue is another indefinite symptom like pain that could point to cancer, and several other problems. It can come in after the cancer has grown, but it may also occur early in certain cancers, such as leukaemia or with some colon or stomach cancers.

15. Persistent Cough

Coughs come with colds, the flu, allergies, and sometimes are a side effect of medications. But a very persistent cough, defined as lasting more than three or four weeks, shouldn’t be snubbed.  Your doctor will do a detailed medical history, examine your throat, your lung functioning and maybe do X-rays, particularly if you smoke.

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