Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States (other than skin cancer) effecting one in eight women. Millions of women are surviving the disease thanks in part to early detection and improvements in treatment. Here are 14 Early Warning Cancer Symptoms That Often Get Ignored.
Sudden Changes In Skin
If you have a mole that is rapidly changing shape, color or size, call a dermatologist immediately.
Frequent Infections And Lengthy Fevers
If you have a fever that just won’t go away, and there’s no other justifiable cause, it may mean you’re suffering from a blood-related cancer like leukemia.
Lumps Under Your Arms, On Your Neck Or Groin & Swollen Lymph Nodes
Sudden, drastic changes in your lymphatic system can definitely be a sign of lymphoma and other cancers.
Stubborn Back Pain
Long-lasting backaches are a clear sign of bone, liver breast and a variety of other dangerous cancers. If you have any pain (especially in your back) that’s lasted over a month, reach out to your doctor immediately.
Sudden Changes In Your Nails
Color or form changes in your nails – such as clubbing – is a big indicator or lung cancer. Although they’re hard to notice, it’s important to pay attention to and record any changes over a short period of time.
Chronic Cough, Shortness Of Breath & Wheezing
Pesky, lengthy coughs, and even little conditions such as bronchitis, can all allude to lung tumors and leukemia. For those with these types of cancer, there is also chest pain that extends from the arm and runs into the shoulder that accompanies the cough!
Oral Changes
Small white spots inside your mouth or on your lips are both signs of oral cancer. This is especially true with those who smoke cigarettes!
Chronic Heartburn
Even though stress, alcohol and certain types of food can cause heartburn, so can stomach, esophageal or ovarian cancers. To determine the cause, change your diet for two or three weeks and see if the symptoms persist. If so, it’s time to call your doctor!
Sore, Swollen or Red Breasts
Changes like these in your breast should be taken very seriously and are a definite symptom of breast cancer! If you notice any type of changes, lumps or unexplained tenderness in your breast, call your gynecologist and make an emergency appointment!
Weakness Or Chronic Fatigue
It’s normal to be tired from a busy day at work or a hectic schedule in general. But if you experience fatigue that just won’t go away (and you’re otherwise healthy), it’s a definite cause for concern!
Abdominal Pain Coupled With Depression
This is something that’s often rare, but generally overlooked by women. Unexplained stomach pain accompanied by depression is a huge sign for pancreatic cancer. If you have this type of pain and symptoms of depression, and the pain doesn’t go away after two weeks or so, it’s time to see a doctor!
Weight Loss (Without Trying)
Not all unexpected weight loss is a clear sign of cancer – it could just be an overactive thyroid – but it could be something more! Cancers such as stomach, lung or pancreatic cancer also present themselves with sudden weight loss. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Abdominal or Pelvic Pain
Stomach problems can come from a host of problems. But pain in the abdomen or pelvis can also be an early warning sign of ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer and leukemia. If you notice blood in your stool, take that as a serious sign and visit your doctor immediately.
Abdominal Weight Gain & Bloating
Ovarian cancer’s first sign in most patients is, in fact, abdominal bloating over a long period. It may seem like you’re gaining weight in your stomach area, but it could also be a deadly disease manifesting in your body!
Tags: breastcancerawareness, cancer prevention, health, newwestphysicians