Research shows that women tend to be more vigilant than men when it comes to doctors’ recommended preventive screenings and cancer screenings.
Women are also more likely to check for potentially dangerous symptoms. However, they don’t always.
For example, young women tend to ignore signs that point to cancer. They have the preconception that cancer is a problem for older people.
And while one wants to believe that, the truth is that cancer can occur at any age.
Of course, some women are as good as men at “overlooking” ailments. Very many deliberately ignore the symptoms of cancer they have. And that, as a rule, is a consequence of denial. Many have the belief that there is no cure for cancer, so they behave this way, trying not to notice the problem.
Talking about worrisome symptoms shouldn’t cause people to overreact, oncologists say. No one should be under the impression that they are obliged to keep an eye on every, slightest change in the body.
Keeping a healthy balance between denial and hypochondria in mind, we asked oncologists about signs that shouldn’t immediately make women suspect they have cancer, but should still be checked.
Read about 15 possible symptoms of cancer that are often ignored by women.
№ 1. Unexplained weight loss.
Many women dream of losing weight without any special effort. But unexplained weight loss – such as 2.5 pounds per month without increasing exercise or reducing food intake – should be reported to your doctor.
Oncologists believe that unexplained weight loss is caused by cancer until proven otherwise. Of course, it could be a consequence of another condition, such as an overactive thyroid gland, but there is nothing good about that either.
№ 2. Abdominal bloating.
This is such a common problem that many women live with it without paying any attention to the ailment. However, this condition can indicate ovarian cancer. Other symptoms of this condition include abdominal or pelvic pain, a quick feeling of fullness (especially if you have eaten some), and problems with urination.
If abdominal bloating occurs almost every day for several weeks, you should consult your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and prescribe a CT scan and blood tests.
№ 3. Breast changes
Most women are aware of the condition of their breasts, even if they don’t do special self-tests, and usually feel if there are lumps. But that’s not the only symptom that indicates breast cancer. For example, redness and thickening of the breast skin can indicate a very rare but aggressive form of breast cancer — inflammatory cancer — and should be checked. If you find a rash that persists for several weeks, you should see your doctor.
If the appearance of your nipple has changed, or if you notice discharge (while not breastfeeding), you should also see your doctor. If the problem continues for some time, it is not a good sign. If your nipples are initially flat, it’s not a big deal. But a change in their appearance can be a worrying symptom.
In this case, your doctor will carefully check your breasts and prescribe tests such as a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and possibly a biopsy.
№ 4. Bleeding between periods or other atypical bleeding
Pre-menopausal women often ignore bleeding between periods, oncologists say. They also ignore gastrointestinal bleeding, mistaking it for menstruation. But bleeding between periods, especially if it happens regularly, should be checked, because it could be a symptom of endometrial cancer. And bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract can be a sign of colon cancer.
Pay attention to what is normal for you, oncologists say. If you’ve never had a discharge in the middle of your cycle, and suddenly it appears, it’s not normal.
Endometrial cancer is a common type of gynecologic cancer. At least three-quarters of people with this diagnosis have a history of abnormal bleeding as an early sign.
