Cancer Symptoms Often Ignored
Too Many Women Miss Early Lifesaving Signs
While women are at the forefront of detecting bodily changes and seeking medical care, too many will miss the early warning signs of cancer. According to Mary Daly, MD, oncologist and head of the department of clinical genetics at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, in an article titled "15 Cancer Symptoms Women Ignore", byKathleen Doheny on Webmd.com, younger women are at an increased risk. "They have this notion that cancer is a problem of older people," Daly says, and while this is predominantly the case, many young people can and will get cancer.
This is not to say that older women don’t miss the signs as well. Many are as astute at denial as their younger counterparts, risking diagnosis and early treatment by giving into fear and apprehension. According to Hannah Linden, MD, a medical oncologist and joint associate member of the F. Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, there is a general misconception among many women that cancer is incurable. Women fail to seek the appropriate medical care because they don’t believe they can be helped.
Cancer Signs Not to Miss
Knowing that early detection provides the best chance for treatment and cure, there are symptoms women should never ignore. Not all symptoms will lead to cancer, but requisite testing should be done to rule out the possibility.
- Sudden Unexplained Weight Loss: Many women, thrilled to drop 10 unexpected pounds in a month, miss a telltale sign of cancer. According to Ranit Mishori, MD, an assistant professor of family medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., all sudden weight loss that is not the result of reduced eating or increased exercise should be considered cancer until it’s tied to another cause.
- Bloating: Many women become accustomed to off and on bloating and miss an important early warning sign of ovarian cancer. Persistent bloating lasting more than a couple weeks should be checked by a physician.
- Breast Changes: Sudden changes in breast appearance could be a warning sign of breast cancer. Changes in the nipples or developing a discharge should be checked by a physician. Likewise, an itchy red rash developing on the breast could be a rare form of aggressive cancer and should set off warning bells that a doctor visit is necessary.
- Abnormal between-period bleeding: Many premenopausal women ignore bleeding between their periods, but it could be a symptom of cancer. Women with regular periods, who never experience bleeding outside of her menstrual period, should be concerned about unexpected spotting.
- Skin Changes: sudden bleeding, excessive scaling or changes in pigmentation often signal developing skin cancer. Its ok to watch the changes for several week, but if they persist, should be checked by a physician
- Difficulty Swallowing: Many women who experience this symptom change their diet to alleviate discomfort and fail to have the symptom thoroughly examined. According to Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, it could be a sign of GI cancer, possibly of the esophagus, and shouldn’t be ignored.
- Changes in Lymph Nodes: Swelling under the armpits or in the neck could mean enlarged lymph nodes. If symptoms persist for more than a week, consult a physician to rule out infection. If no infection is present, a doctor will usually order a biopsy.
- Fever: As vague as it sounds, fever that isn’t associated with influenza or other illness could be a sign of some cancers, including early leukemia, and some colon or stomach cancers.
While the symptoms above can have other causes, the first line of defense against cancer is early detection. Effective treatment and even a cure may rely on recognizing early signs and seeking medical advice.
Not All Women Recognize Cancer Signs
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