Several women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers each year, including endometrial cancer or uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. Women after menopause are more likely to develop certain cancers, but gynecologic malignancies can also develop in women before menopause. You may not think of getting cancer if you are relatively healthy and young, but regardless of your age or family history, you should be aware and cautious.
Gynecologic cancers, in particular, frequently exhibit hazy symptoms that are similar to those of other diseases. Screening can detect only cervical and breast cancers. As a result, by recognizing these symptoms and discussing them with your gynecologist or primary care physician, you will increase your chances of detecting cancer at an early stage, when it is still highly treatable.
1. Abnormal bleeding
In more than 90% of endometrial cancer patients, irregular bleeding occurs. If you have already experienced menopause, any bleeding, even spotting, should be investigated. Consult a doctor if you are experiencing heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, or bleeding while having sex. This could also be a sign of vaginal or cervical cancer.
2. Breast Changes
The majority of breast cancers are discovered by women while performing routine tasks such as shaving, bathing, or scratching. Keep an eye out for lumps in your breasts or armpits. Keep an eye out for nipple anomalies, changes in breast sensation and appearance, and changes in breast skin.
3. Alterations to your bathroom habits
The constant bladder pressure or the sudden desire to urinate frequently, unless you’ve increased your fluid intake or are pregnant, could be an indication of cancer.
Pain in the abdomen or pelvis that is persistent or severe may be a symptom of ovarian or other reproductive cancers. Changes in bowel or bladder habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, or difficulty urinating, may indicate colorectal or bladder cancer. If you’re losing weight without trying, it could be a sign of cancer, especially if it’s accompanied by a loss of appetite. A dermatologist should be consulted if there are any changes in the color, size, or shape of a mole or other skin lesions. Coughing or hoarseness that lasts more than a month or hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks could be signs of lung cancer.
