10 Cancer symptoms in women

A little knowledge may be a dangerous thing, but ignorance definitely is not bliss. Here are a few cancer symptoms which women must not ignore:

•    Shortness of breath – This is not just a sign of asthma, it could be an early signifier of lung cancer. However, most women are not unlike Ruby when she says, “I have a difficult time catching my breath after climbing four flights of stairs. I blame it on my general unhealthy lifestyle – smoking regularly and no exercise!”

Everyone knows about the dangers of smoking. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that even a single glass of an alcoholic drink every day increased the risk of a number of cancers in women, including those of the breast, liver and rectum.

•    Recurring cough or pain in the chest – These can appear to be conditions of bronchitis, but are also the first symptoms of cancers such as leukemia and lung cancer.

•    Weight gain in the abdomen – Women do tend to bloat during their menstrual cycles, but when this continues for over a few weeks, it is time to see the doctor! It could very well be symptomatic of ovarian cancer.

•    Pain in the pelvic region – If this condition comes with clinical depression, the underlying root may be pancreatic cancer. Even without depression, this is a classic sign of ovarian cancer and leukemia, though we usually wave such pains off as disorders in the reproductive tracts.

•    Mysterious loss of weight – Losing five kilos in one month without even trying sounds wonderful, but it can be the result of cancer of the colon or the digestive tract and it's a classic symptom of cancer in women.

•    Changes in the breast – It’s not just lumps that spell cancer – even reddening or thickening of the skin can be a cancerous symptom in women. The nipples too, if they become inverted or produce any discharge, are cancerous signals that need to be heeded.

•    Irregular menstrual bleeding – Women with irregular menstrual cycles overlook the patterns in their bleeding. This is a wrong decision as it is a telling symptom of cancer in women. Bleeding heavily or between periods could be symptomatic of endometrial, uterine or colorectal cancer.

Dr. Nagraj, the oncology head of Nanavati Hospital says: “Breast cancer and ovarian cancer are predominant in the urban areas. If one notices any unusual discharge, they should definitely go see a doctor. A pap smear will be evidence of their condition and could make a difference in their diagnosis.”

•    Fatigue – This seems too vague to be a symptom of cancer in women. However, unexplained weariness that no amount of sleep can undo is a sign of leukemia. Also, different symptoms combined with fatigue also have different types of cancer at their root.

•    Trouble in swallowing – This is one of the first symptoms of throat and sometimes lung cancer.

•    A marked difference in the color of the nails – Brown or black spots on the nails, or even pale white nails could signify cancers of the skin, liver or lungs.