WOMEN IGNORE WOMEN'S CANCER SYMPTOMS

BEFORE SEEKING HELP

The majority of women take good care of themselves. Cancer symptoms can be easy to ignore, however. A doctor should be consulted if a new health problem arises. As soon as a problem is identified, it can be treated, and early treatment of cancer can be lifesaving; if caught early, many forms of cancer can be cured.

Discuss the following slides with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. A woman's symptoms do not necessarily mean she has cancer, but it is important to get a diagnosis to rule it out.

NO.1 - UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS

Weight loss that is unexplained could indicate cancer. Despite the fact that many women would enjoy losing weight without trying, when women lose weight without following a diet or exercising, this should be investigated. Weight loss is common when cancer cells consume much of the body's energy supply. A doctor will run tests to rule out cancer and determine whether the weight loss is caused by another condition, such as an overactive thyroid.

NO. 2 - BLOATING

Bleeding is a normal part of the monthly cycle for many women. Consult your doctor if bloating occurs every day and persists for several weeks. Bloating, abdominal pain, feeling full even without eating much, and urinary urgency are signs of ovarian cancer. To aid in diagnosis, your doctor can order a CT scan and perform blood tests.

NO 3. - BREAST CHANGES

Women may choose to perform regular breast self-exams and check for lumps, but there are other breast changes to watch out for. Inflammatory breast cancer is characterized by redness and thickening of the breast skin. Many women experience lumps that come and go during their cycle. An enlarging lump that won't go away after about a month should be checked out by a physician. You might also experience:

• a persistent rash
• on your breasts
• when you're not breastfeeding

Let your doctor know if you notice any changes. Your doctor may order mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, or biopsy tests to examine your breasts.

NO. 4 - BETWEEN-PERIOD BLEEDING OR OTHER UNUSUAL BLEEDING

Bleeding between periods is a cause for concern if you normally have regular cycles. The same goes for bleeding after menopause. Spots between periods are usually benign, but can indicate an early stage of endometrial cancer

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract can also bleed, which can be mistaken for menstrual bleeding by women. This may indicate colorectal cancer.

Inform your doctor if you experience either type of bleeding. In order to detect colorectal or endometrial cancer, your doctor may order an ultrasound or biopsy.

NO. 5 - SKIN CHANGES

U.S. residents are most likely to develop skin cancer. Changing moles, moles with irregular shapes or colors, or asymmetrical moles are common signs of skin cancer.

U.S. citizens are most likely to develop skin cancer. Moles that change shape or color, or are asymmetrical are signs of skin cancer. However, other skin changes can also be signs, such as changes in skin pigmentation, bleeding, or excessive scaling. Seeing a doctor if you notice changes in a mole shouldn't take more than a few weeks due to the aggressive nature of melanoma.

NO. 6 - DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING

An esophageal cancer, for example, may cause difficulty swallowing. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. A physical and tests such as X-rays and endoscopies may be ordered by your doctor.

NO. 7 - BLOOD IN THE WRONG PLACE

If you notice blood in any "wrong" place, consult your doctor. Hemorrhoids and colon cancer can both cause blood in stools. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy. Menstrual blood in the urine could be mistaken for bladder or kidney cancer, but it could also be blood in the urine. Coughing up blood should also be discussed with your doctor.

NO. 8 - GNAWING ABDOMINAL PAIN AND DEPRESSION

If depression is accompanied by abdominal pain, it may be a symptom of pancreatic cancer. While the connection is not completely understood, if you experience these symptoms speak with your doctor to rule out possible cancer and to seek treatment for depression if necessary.

NO. 9 - INDIGESTION

Indigestion that is not caused by a fatty meal or pregnancy may be cause for concern. Indigestion that persists for an extended period of time may be a sign of cancer of the stomach, esophagus, or throat.

NO. 10 - MOUTH CHANGES

A white patch inside the mouth or a white spot on the tongue may signal the presence of leukoplakia, a precancerous condition that can lead to oral cancer. Smokers are more likely to develop this condition. If you notice any patches, talk to your doctor or dentist.

NO. 11 - PAIN

An unexplained pain may indicate cancer. In most cases, it's not, but any pain that persists and has no known cause should be checked by a doctor.

NO. 12 - CHANGES IN LYMPH NODES

An enlarged lymph node or lump in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck could be a sign of cancer. See a doctor if the lump is growing and has been present for over a month. You may have an infection, but you may also have cancer.

NO. 13 - FEVER

An unexplained fever, such as one caused by a cold or the flu, could indicate cancer. Fever is one of the early signs of some blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. In addition, fever can also occur when cancer has spread (metastasized) from the original site to other parts of the body.

Notify your doctor if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) or if the color of your stool changes.

Your doctor may order a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or other tests if you have an unexplained fever.

NO. 14 - FATIGUE

Fatigue can be a symptom of many illnesses and medical conditions, but it can also be a sign of some types of cancer, such as leukemia or some types of colon and stomach cancers. If you experience unexplained fatigue, consult your doctor.

NO. 15 - PERSISTENT COUG

If you have a cough lasting more than three to four weeks and you don't have a cold, allergies, or the flu, consult your doctor, especially if you smoke. There is a possibility that your doctor will order X-rays and check your throat and lung function.