Warning Signs Of Cancer You Simply Cannot Ignore

Bloating

Bloating is such a common problem that most of the times we blame it on indigestion and rightly so. However, if the bloating persists for days together and is accompanied with pain in lower abdomen and urinary urgency, it is time to meet your doctor.

According to specialists, bloating could be a warning sign of ovarian cancer and women complaining of it for several weeks should be thoroughly examined to rule out its possibility.

Any abnormal changes in the skin

Women should watch out for any abnormal changes in their skin. Development of any new red or brown moles, or sudden increase in size of a pre-existing mole should be viewed suspiciously and be shown to the doctor. Sudden scaling of skin persisting for more than a few weeks also warranties an examination by an expert. These changes may be a warning sign of skin cancer and should never be taken lightly.

Difficulty in swallowing your food

Sometimes the only indication of a cancer of esophagus is difficulty in swallowing. So if you ever encounter such a problem do not ignore it. Many a times, women encountering a difficulty in swallowing their food, simply switch their diet to liquid form. But remember, if the problem is arising because of some cancer, sooner or later you will face problems in swallowing liquids too. And by the time that happens, the cancer may have spread to an unmanageable state. Therefore, never ignore this symptom.

Fatigue

There are many women who may be experiencing this symptom. Many a times, fatigue could just be a result of excessive workload, or because of anemia or thyroid problem. However, the American Cancer Society points out that fatigue can also be an early symptom of leukemia or cancers of stomach or colon. So, in case you are getting fatigued regularly, you should always visit your physician and try to find out the reason behind it.

Any abnormal swelling in your neck or armpit

Normally the lymph nodes present in the neck and the armpit get swollen in case of any infection of the region they are draining. You may commonly encounter swollen nodes in the neck in case of some tooth infection. But if the swelling has been persisting for a long time, say about a month, is increasing in size or becoming tender, it could be a reason to worry. Enlarged tender nodes are often seen in case of malignancy and should be biopsied to find their nature.

Fever

 Any fever, which cannot be explained by some viral or bacterial infection, should be worrisome. It can be an early symptom of leukemia or lymphoma. Fever is also seen in cancers which have metastasized to other body parts.

Abnormal ulcer/growth in the mouth

A mouth ulcer is a fairly common entity. However, if an ulcer is refusing to heal for a long time, it should be biopsied. Similarly, any growth in the buccal cavity must be examined by an expert. Many a times, one may notice a white patch on the inside of the cheek. This condition is termed as leukoplakia and is a precancerous lesion.

Shortness of breath or persistent cough

Shortness of breath is often observed in patients who are asthmatic or suffering from severe anemia. However, if you are a non-asthmatic and do not suffer from anemia, and you suddenly find walking even a small distance a daunting task, get yourself thoroughly examined. It could be a cancer of the lungs or a thyroid nodule pressing on your windpipe. Likewise prolonged cough can be a symptom of leukemia or lung cancer.

The whole idea of discussing these points is that you should strike a fine balance between being a hypochondriac and an ignorant fool. Remember that not every illness is a cancer, but when you see the warning signs, do not turn a blind eye towards them.