Cancer symptoms in women are often mistaken for other issues such as stress or exhaustion. Women of today lead very busy lives working full-time both inside and outside the home. It is common for the fatigue women experience to be attributed to overwork, when it could be a symptom of cancer. Women having any of the following symptoms in a persistent and progressive manner should be screened for cancer.
Breast Changes. Lumps and other changes in the breasts are the most common symptoms of breast cancer in women. If there is any discharge from the nipples, and the skin is flaky or looks unusual seek a detailed breast exam. Even if your mammogram is normal, do not ignore painful lumps in your breast. You should request a biopsy.
Irregular Bleeding. Report any vaginal bleeding that you experience after menopause to your doctor. Bleeding after menopause is a common symptom of cervical cancer. For women who have not reached menopause, cancer warning symptoms include spotting between periods, and unusually heavy periods. Any type of vaginal bleeding that is out of the ordinary for your body should be discussed with your doctor.
Unexplained Weight Gain or Loss. When women suddenly gain weight it could be an indication of a buildup of fluid in the abdomen, which is a symptom associated with ovarian cancer. If your diet remains the same, but you are gaining weight visit your doctor to rule out ovarian cancer. Additionally, unexplained weight loss is also cause for alarm. Sometimes weight loss in women is caused by an over-active thyroid. However, sudden weight loss of more than 10 pounds is also one of the first symptoms of stomach cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Cancer symptoms in women should not be ignored. If you notice symptoms in your body that are associated with cancer do not hesitate to contact your doctor.
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