Cancer Symptoms For Women And Men That You Should Absolutely NEVER Ignore
The American Cancer
Society estimates that there will be over 1.5 million new cancer cases
in 2015. While this is a high number, medical experts across the board
agree that early detection is crucial to successfully fighting the
disease.
There are some
symptoms one should never ignore, and
paying attention to these changes in the body is such an important part
of detecting serious medical issues like cancer. I know my own body
best, so when I saw this list of common cancer symptoms that can help
with early detection, I knew I’d be watching out for them.
Dr. Beth Y. Karlan
of Cedars-Sinai’s Cancer Institute says that if you have symptoms that
are “persistent and progressive, meaning you wake up every morning and
feel something and it has you worried
— even for two weeks in a row
— it really is worth calling your physician and having it checked out.”
Like a lot of people, I incorrectly thought that breast cancer
symptoms only affected women and I didn’t have to worry about them. I
was also wrong in thinking that symptoms associated with colon cancer
only affected men. But I was very surprised to see how many symptoms
affected both men
and women, just like
in the case of a heart attack. I’m so glad I know what to look for now!
Scroll through to see which symptoms should be a red flag for women,
men, or for both women and men. While these symptoms don’t always mean
cancer is the problem, they are a sign that you should see a doctor
right away.
Bloating in Women
LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber
Unexplained and chronic bloating is one of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and should be taken seriously.
Dr. Beth Y. Karlan
says, “For years it’s been known by the misnomer of the silent killer,
and we really need to put that aside. Ovarian cancer clearly has
symptoms.”
If bloating occurs in conjunction with feeling full too quickly,
pelvic or lower back pain, or change in bowel or bladder habits,
particularly if it occurs daily for a couple of weeks, you should
definitely visit a doctor right away.
Irregular Bleeding or Discharge in Women
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Any abnormal bleeding that occurs after
menopause or outside of your normal cycle could be a sign of something
serious like endometrial or cervical cancer.
Dr. Carolyn Runowicz
says, “Any bleeding, staining, little drops on your underwear, or big
clots are abnormal and should be immediately investigated.”
Likewise, any kind of unusual discharge could be a symptom of an infection or cervical cancer and warrants a trip to the doctor.
Pelvic or Abdominal Pain in Women
LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber
Pelvic or abdominal pain can be an indication of something serious, such as ovarian cancer.
This pain, when accompanied by bloating, trouble eating, or urinary problems, necessitates a trip to the doctor.
The American Cancer Society
writes, “These symptoms are also commonly cause by benign
(non-cancerous diseases) and cancers of other organs. When they are
caused by ovarian cancer, they tend to be persistent and represent a
change from normal.”
Persistent Back Pain in Men
LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber
There can be many causes of back pain that
are completely unrelated to cancer. However, colon and prostate cancers
sometimes show themselves in persistent back pain, so a trip to the
doctor is definitely recommended.
Healthline
writes, “Back pain is the most common cause of disability, but few men
realize that it may be a sign of cancer. Prostate cancer specifically
may cause these symptoms within the bones of the hips and lower back.”
Certainly, occasional muscle pain should not be cause for panic. But a
recurring condition may be a sign of something more serious.
Changes in the Testicles in Men
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One of the best ways to catch testicular cancer early is by monitoring your testicles for any changes.
Dr. Herbert Lepor
says, “If you notice a lump, heaviness, or any other change in your
testicle, never delay having it looked at. Unlike prostate cancer, which
grows slowly, testicular cancer can take off over night.”
Regular self-exams can be crucial to catching testicular cancer before it spreads.
Pain in the Groin, Hips, or Thighs in Men
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In addition to back pain, prostate cancer can
show itself by causing pain in the groin, hips, or thighs, and a trip
to the doctor is definitely needed.
While prostate cancer can cause discomfort in these areas, testicular
cancer can also cause groin pain with an aching feeling in the groin or
testicles.
Any kind of chronic pain or swelling could definitely be an indication of something more seriou
Persistent Cough in Women and Men
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A cough is generally an indication of
something minor, like a cold. However, with a cough that refuses to go
away, something more serious could be the cause, such as thyroid, lung,
or throat cancer.
Author and research fellow
Katriina Whitaker
writes, “We know coughs and colds are everywhere at the moment and
we’re not suggesting everyone with a cough goes to their doctor. But if
you have a symptom that doesn’t go away, or is unusual, don’t be afraid
to go to your doctor for advice.”
Smoking may also be a cause of the cough. And, as
Dr. Beth Y. Karlan points out, “Smoking is the number one cancer killer of women.”
Bowel Changes or Problems with Urination in Women and Men
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Changes or recurring problems with bowel movements or urination could be signs that something more serious is going on.
Healthline writes, “The occasional bowel problem is normal, but changes in your bowels may indicate either colon or rectal cancer.”
Rectal bleeding is also a symptom that requires medical attention. If
the changes or problems persist, they definitely should be checked out
by a professional.
Sudden Weight Loss in Women and Men
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Sudden and unexplained weight loss can have many serious causes, several of which are types of cancer.
The American Cancer Society
writes, “An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be the
first sign of cancer. This happens most often with cancers of the
pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.”
Stress or thyroid problems could also be the cause of such weight
loss, but it is important that a doctor runs blood tests right away to
be sure.
Breast Area Changes in Women and Men
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Many people think that breast cancer only
affects women, but it actually is found in both men and women. Checking
yourself for changes or lumps in the breast area is extremely important
for everyone.
Dr. Marleen Meyers says, “Men tend to ignore breast lumps because
breast cancer isn’t on their radar. But 1% of all breast cancers occur
in men, although they’re usually diagnosed much later.”
While it can be one of the deadliest, there are many treatments for breast cancer, so early detection is absolutely vital.
Swollen Lymph Nodes in Women and Men
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The lymph nodes are the small glands that are
located in several places throughout the body, including the neck and
armpits. Swollen lymph nodes could be an indication of a simple cold or
sore throat.
However,
Dr. Marleen Meyers points out that if the swelling doesn’t get better in two to four weeks, you should definitely see a doctor.
If the swelling persists, it could be a sign of something much more serious, such as cancer, so a doctor’s visit is key.
Skin Changes in Women and Men
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Changes in the skin are extremely important to pay attention to in an effort to spot skin cancer early on.
Anytime the size, shape, or color of a mole or spot on your skin
starts to change, you should see a doctor right away. Dr. Marleen Meyers
says that you absolutely do not want to wait when it comes to skin
cancer.
Early detection is key, and a quick trip to the doctor can be the difference in catching it or not.
Mouth Changes in Women and Men
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Changes in the mouth can be a symptom of
mouth cancer, particularly if you smoke or chew tobacco. The best way to
detect this is by looking for white or red patches in the mouth.
The American Cancer Society writes, “White patches inside the mouth
and white spots on the tongue may be [pre-cancerous]. Any long-lasting
mouth changes should be checked by a doctor or dentist right away.”
Significant Fatigue in Women and Men
LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber
Fatigue occurs when you are extremely tired
and don’t feel better with rest. Frequent or severe fatigue can be an
indication that something is very wrong, and you should definitely see a
doctor.
The American Cancer Society writes, “It may be an important symptom as cancer grows. But it may happen early in some cancers, like leukemia.”
As with all of these symptoms, it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to significant bouts of fatigue.
Dr. Beth Y. Karlan says,
“We don’t want to [cause] too much alarm. Cancer is treatable, often
it’s curable, and clearly having a diagnosis earlier will allow you to
have the most benefit possible from current health care advances and
to live a life as prior to a diagnosis.”
Keeping these symptoms in mind, and seeing a doctor when you detect
something wrong, can be extremely effective in the early detection of
cancer.
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