Although many individuals develop cancer without any warning symptoms, in some cases there are warning symptoms, some of which are ignored by the individual. Seeking early medical attention for abnormal symptoms can help to diagnose cancer at an early stage when there is an increase chance of cure or improved survival rates.
Symptoms that might indicate cancer in women
Some of the symptoms that might indicate cancer in women are often vague and ill defined. In some cases they might not be associated with cancer, but should still be investigated. The following are some symptoms that you should not ignore:
Unexplained weight loss
With the growing incidence of obesity in Anguilla many women are anxious to lose weight, but if there is unexplained weight loss of 15 or more pounds, without an increase in physical activity/exercise or a decrease in food intake, this should warrant a visit to the doctor and be investigated. The weight change could be the result of thyroid disease or diabetes mellitus, but cancer must be ruled out.
Bloating
Bloating is very common in many women, and is often ignored. Some women have bloating associated with their menstrual periods, while others have it in association with eating certain foods. If bloating occurs almost everyday and persists for many weeks, you should seek medical attention as it might be a symptom of ovarian cancer. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal pain or pelvic pain, feeling full quickly — even when you have not eaten much — and urinary problems, such as having an urgent need to go to the bathroom.
Breast changes
The vast majority of women know their breasts very well and can detect early changes, but often these changes are ignored. Breast lumps should always warrant a visit to the doctor, but other changes in the breast can also be symptoms of breast cancer. Nipple discharge, redness and thickening of the skinon the breast, could indicate breast cancer. Nipple changes (in individuals not breast feeding) could also indicate breast cancer.
Abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods or other unusual bleeding
Abnormal vaginal/uterine bleeding between periods should not be ignored, as well as bleeding after menopause. This might be a sign of uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer occurs in residents of Anguilla and in the vast majority of cases there was abnormal bleeding as an early sign.
Rectal bleeding should not be ignored especially in women after the age of fifty, as it might indicate cancer in the colon (large bowel) or rectum.
Difficulty swallowing
If you develop difficulty swallowing resulting in a change in your diet, this might be a sign of cancer in the oesophagus. If you have any difficulty swallowing you should seek medical advice.
Blood in the stool
Blood in the stool should not be ignored. Many women think that this blood is fromhaemorrhoids, but in some cases it might be more serious. If you see blood in the stool or in the toilet bowl, please have it checked out as it might be a sign of cancer, such as cancer of the colon, bladder or kidney.
Indigestion
Most women have experienced indigestion at some point in their lives, especially if they were pregnant, butindigestion for no apparent reason may be a red flag. It might be something as innocent as reflux oesophagitis, but it could be an early clue to cancer of the oesophagus, stomach or throat. Persistent indigestion for no apparent reason requires you to see you doctor.
Changes in the lymph nodes
If you notice a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck — or anywhere else — it could be worrisome.
If you have a lymph node that gets progressively larger, and it’s [been] longer than a month, see a doctor. Your doctor will examine you and figure out any associated issues (such as infection) that could explain the lymph node enlargement.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another vague symptom that could point to cancer — as well as a host of other problems. It can set in after the cancer has grown, but it may also occur early in certain cancers such as leukemia or with some colon or stomach cancers.
Regular medical check-ups
There are many different cancers affecting women, but the vast majority does have some early warning symptoms. Individuals should be aware of these symptoms and seek medical attention at all times. In addition, women are encouraged to have their regular medical check-ups and have the appropriate screening tests for various cancers. Some cancers do not have any early symptoms, while others have no symptoms at all, but can be detected by various screening tests. Talk to your doctor about these tests.
Conclusion
Although most women compared to men do seek medical advice, when they notice an abnormal symptom, we still find many women ignoring abnormal symptoms that might indicate cancer. If you have an abnormal symptom, talk to your doctor about it so that it can be investigated. Sometimes it might be a non-threatening symptom, but in some cases it might be a red flag for cancer.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
