Abnormal periods or pelvic pain. Abnormal periods are not uncommon. Many factors can affect your period, including pregnancy, menopause, obesity, thyroid disorders, endometriosis, benign ovarian cysts, and even stress. However, when you start experiencing sudden and noticeable changes in your cycle, it’s time to see your doctor. As the months go by, changes such as significantly heavier periods should be noted. Pelvic pain and irregular bleeding can be symptoms of cervical, ovarian and other gynecological cancers.
Bloating. Bloating after a heavy meal or during your period? This is normal. Bloating every day for no reason? Not so much. Bloating or frequent constipation can be a sign of ovarian or uterine cancer. Rich Wender, MD, chief cancer specialist at the American Cancer Society, says, “If it’s been a few weeks and you’re not getting better, that’s a change … it’s not you. Get a close look from your doctor.” If you’re using Gas-X daily, it’s time to see your doctor.
Blood in the stool. Seeing blood in your stool can be scary. However, many people blame hemorrhoids or constipation. Although hemorrhoids are very common (about 75% of the population will experience them at some point in their lives), bleeding in the stool should never be treated without medical attention. Blood in the intestinal tract is never normal, so it should be checked regularly. Blood in the stool can be a sign of serious conditions such as colon cancer, which is increasingly common in people under the age of 50.
Breast dimpling, discoloration, or other changes. Women are well aware that breast lumps are a sign of breast cancer. However, beast dimples are a lesser-known symptom that should be taken seriously. Other symptoms of breast cancer include swelling, tenderness, skin discoloration, and even an inverted nipple. It’s important to remember that if you have these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you have cancer. However, these symptoms may seem insignificant, so it is important not to ignore them. It’s always better to be safe than sorry with your health.
Chronic cough. Is it a cold, allergies, flu or something else? Everyone gets sick from time to time. However, if you do not have a cough or other flu symptoms for two weeks or more, it may be a sign of lung cancer or leukemia. Coughing up blood is a red flag that something needs immediate attention.
Chronic headache. If you don’t suffer from migraines and don’t usually get headaches, a sudden, chronic headache could be a sign that something is wrong. If you’ve already been diagnosed with migraines and your treatment is working, there’s probably no reason to worry. However, if you’ve never had a headache before and suddenly feel desperate in a dark, quiet room, you should discuss this change in health with your doctor.
Difficulty swallowing. Difficulty swallowing can be caused by a simple sore throat, but if it persists for a long time, it can be a sign of throat, stomach or lung cancer. Always use the two-week rule – if it lasts longer than two weeks, it’s time to see a doctor. Even with complications from non-cancerous infections, early detection can help you get diagnosed and treated so you can get better faster.
Too much bruising. If you’re clumsy, you probably won’t be surprised or worried if you find a few random bruises here or there. But if you start noticing frequent bruising, especially in odd places like hands and fingers, it could be something serious. Excessive bruising can be a sign of anemia or, more seriously, leukemia.
Persistent fever or infection. Taking a lot of pain relievers or fever reducers? Apart from causing serious damage to your liver, treating something without determining the cause will not help your body. Frequent fevers and infections can be early signs of leukemia or lymphoma, which weakens the immune system and makes you more susceptible to disease. See your doctor if you start to feel sick at what seems like a random time.