Women, are gynecological cancers on your radar? Even if you are young and healthy, do you think cancer cares about that? Everyone should at least consider these symptoms to protect their bodies from undue harm.
In the US alone, over 80,000 females are diagnosed with these types of cancer every year. Gynecological cancers include ovarian, cervical and endometrial (uterus) cancer. Most commonly, these cancers effect post-menopausal women, but they can effect women of younger ages as well.
Another thing to consider is that the signs and symptoms are not always stark and obvious, they can be vague, confusing and similar to the symptoms of other health conditions.
So what should you look for at any age? There are several things that you can check out–if you find them, immediately notify your doctor. Recognition of symptoms early can significantly increase the odds of fighting and beating cancer. Cancer is most treatable the smaller it is, in general.
10 cancer symptoms every woman should be aware of – gynecologic cancer symptoms
1. Bleeding: abnormal, vaginal
Of the women who are diagnosed with endometrial cancer, over 90 percent experienced irregular bleeding. This can be confusing for women who experience monthly loss of blood anyway, but any bleeding between periods or heavy bleeding–or bleeding during sex–should be taken to a doctor. For post-menopausal women, ANY bleeding should be checked out by a doctor.
2. Weight loss: unexpected, sudden
Although weight loss is something many of us welcome and strive for, sudden weight loss–when you don’t know WHY it happened–is suspicious. In general, 10 pounds of sudden weight loss without any change in habits or diet should be looked at. For those who are overweight now, losing weight by exercise or healthier food can actually reduce your cancer risks.
3. Colored blood: vaginal discharge.
If your discharge is dark, smelly or particularly bloody, there could well be an infection. Less likely, but also possible: it could be cervical or endometrial cancer.
4. Fatigue: constant, prolonged.
If rest does not reduce your fatigue–as it should normally–don’t just pin it down to your busy lifestyle. See a doctor about it immediately.
5. Leg swelling
If one of your legs swells up or FEELS swollen–for no reason–it could be cervical cancer. Usually, if this is the case, there will be pain as well as other cervical cancer signs like discharge. But not always. Get it checked out by a doctor.
6. Appetite
This can go both ways. If you have loss of appetite or if you always feel full, this could indicate cancer.
7. Abdominal/Pelvic pain
Pain in the abdomen or pelvis could also indicate cancer, particularly if the pain is ongoing. This goes for discomfort as well as pain. Gas, pressure, cramps, bloating and indigestion are associated signs of ovarian cancer. Pelvic pain/pressure could indicate endometrial cancer.
8. Bloating: belly
If your bloating is not just because you recently ate a big meal or drank a lot–if it lasts over two weeks after a period–it could mean ovarian cancer.
9. Urination: constant
If this happens suddenly: you always need to use the bathroom or always feel bladder pressure, it could mean cancer. Pregnant women do urinate more, and if you’ve started drinking more fluids, that means you’ll urinate more frequently, too. Associated with this cancer risk is abdominal pain and bloating.
10. Indigestion/nausea: persistent
Sometimes this otherwise-normal occurrence can indicate gynecological cancers. Check it out with your doctor.
If you have any of these symptoms, it does not mean you have cancer. It means that you should think about whether you might have cancer and get it checked out if anything seems unusual. If any of these symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, definitely get them checked out.