Of course, some women are just as good at denying themselves as men. “There are people who intentionally ignore symptoms of cancer,” says oncologist Hannah Linden. Linden is a member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and an assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. She explains that the reason cancer is sometimes ignored is the culture that cancer is an incurable disease.
Here are fifteen possible cancer symptoms that women can ignore:
1- Unexplained weight loss:
Easy weight loss can make many women happy, but unexplained weight loss, such as 10 pounds (pounds = about 453 grams) per month without exercising as much or eating less, requires a medical check-up, says Michory, who added Unexplained weight loss indicates cancer unless proven otherwise, where there could be another cause such as an overactive thyroid gland, the doctor should order tests to determine the secretion of thyroid hormone or to examine various organs with X-rays.
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2- Bloating:
Bloating is one of the symptoms that women experience, but it can also be a symptom of ovarian cancer. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal and pelvic pain, feeling full quickly even if you haven’t eaten much, and problems urinating, such as going to the bathroom frequently. If bloating persists most of the day for several weeks, a doctor should be consulted. The doctor should carefully review your medical history and order X-rays and blood tests.
3- Breast changes:
Most women are familiar with their breasts even if they do not have periodic examinations, and they can detect the appearance of any lump or lump, but this is not the only symptom that appears on the breast that can indicate cancer, due to its redness and thickness. released. Linden says that the skin of the breast, which can indicate a highly aggressive and at the same time rare type of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, should also be examined. “If a rash appears on your breasts and persists for several weeks, you should get it checked out,” says Linden.
4-. Bleeding between periods or any other unusual bleeding:
“Menopausal women tend to ignore breakthrough bleeding,” Daly says. They also tend to ignore bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, mistakenly believing that it is menstrual bleeding. Breakthrough bleeding, especially if you have a regular cycle, warrants investigation, Linden says. Likewise, postmenopausal bleeding can be a sign of endometrial cancer. Gastrointestinal bleeding can be a symptom of colorectal cancer.
5- Changes in skin color:
Most of us understand the importance of looking for changes in moles on the skin, as they are a known sign of skin cancer. But we also need to watch for changes in skin pigmentation, Daly says.
6- Difficulty swallowing:
If you have difficulty swallowing, you may have already made changes to your diet to combat chewing difficulties, such as switching to soups or liquid foods such as protein shakes. However, difficulty swallowing can be a sign of a type of digestive cancer, such as esophageal cancer (cancer of the gastrointestinal tract), says Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy director of the American Cancer Society. Expect your doctor to carefully review your medical history and order tests such as X-rays of the chest or gastrointestinal tract.
7- Blood in the wrong place:
If you notice blood in your urine or stool, don’t assume it’s due to hemorrhoids, Michuri says, because it could be colon cancer. The doctor is expected to ask you some questions and may order tests such as an enteroscopy to check for cancer. Missouri says that the reason for the appearance of blood in the toilet can be the vagina if the woman is on her period. Otherwise, it would help if you underwent tests to rule out bladder or kidney cancer.
8- Annoying abdominal pain and depression:
Any woman with abdominal pain and depression should be examined, Lichtenfeld says. Some researchers have found a relationship between depression and pancreatic cancer, but this is not clearly understood.
9- Indigestion
Pregnant women may remember indigestion that occurs when they gain weight, but indigestion for no apparent reason can be a dangerous indicator. Indigestion can be an indication of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or throat. Before performing the tests, your doctor should ask you about your medical history and ask about indigestion.
10- Changes in the mouth:
According to the American Cancer Society, smokers should pay attention to white spots that appear in the mouth or on the tongue, as these spots can indicate cancer called leukoplakia, which can reveal oral cancer. Ask the doctor or dentist to examine the mouth and decide what action to take.
11- Pain:
As people get older, they start to complain of multiple pains, but although this is a comprehensive concept, it can be an early symptom of some types of cancer although not all pains are caused by cancer. If the pain is persistent and for no apparent reason, it is necessary to undergo an examination. The doctor is supposed to ask you about your medical history to decide which tests to run.
12- Lymph node changes:
It can be worrisome to have a lump or swollen lymph node in the armpit, neck, or anywhere else in the body, Linden says. “If the lymph node is enlarged and persists for more than a month, the doctor should examine you and find out the cause,” she said. If there is no apparent reason for this, the doctor will order a biopsy.
13- Fever:
If you develop a fever that is not caused by the flu or another illness, it could be a sign of cancer. Fever usually occurs after cancer has spread, but it can indicate early-stage blood cancers such as leukemia (leukemia), and lymphoma, that is, cancer of the lymph nodes, according to the American Cancer Society. Jaundice or a change in the color of the stool is another symptom of cancer.
14- Exhaustion
Fatigue is another common symptom that can indicate cancer, among other diseases. It can appear after cancer has spread, but it can appear early in certain types of cancer such as leukemia (leukemia) or some colon or stomach cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.
15- Persistent cough:
A cough can be expected to accompany colds, flu, and allergies, or as a side effect of certain medications.
