While cancers occur in both sexes, some of these conditions are specific to women or develop more frequently in women than in men. Some cancers in women give rise to noticeable symptoms quite late, unfortunately often only when they have reached a significant stage. So what are the distinguishing symptoms of cancer in women - when should patients urgently consult a doctor?
Table of contents:
- Symptoms of skin cancer in women
- Symptoms of breast cancer in women
- Symptoms of endometrial cancer in women
- Symptoms of cervical cancer in women
- Symptoms of ovarian cancer in women
- Other symptoms of cancer in women
Cancer today represents one of the greatest public health challenges. There are constant campaigns promoting preventive examinations so that these diseases can be detected as early as possible. For various reasons, patients are not always willing to undergo such examinations - for this reason, knowledge of the basic symptoms of cancer appears to be undeniably very important.
Thesymptoms of cancer can vary greatly, depending on both the type of cancer and the gender of the patient. In the case of women, the same types of cancer can occur as in men (e.g. lung cancer, skin cancer), but there are also typical female cancers such as ovarian cancer and cervical cancer.
Symptoms of skin cancer in women
Skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma are quite often diagnosed very late - the reason for this is that patients do not always notice the symptoms. New skin lesions are particularly worrying and should be of particular concern if they appear suddenly and increase in size rapidly. Skin cancer can also be indicated by changes to previously existing moles, such as their enlargement, change in colour or the appearance of some type of discharge.
Symptoms of breast cancer in women
Breast cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers in women. Contrary to appearances, men also suffer from this disease, but with much lower frequency.
The main symptom of breast cancer is the appearance of some lump in the breast gland. However, other problems should also be of concern, such as a change in the size of the breasts (a noticeable asymmetry in the size of both breasts should be particularly worrying), as well as changes to the nipple (such as a retraction or discharge of some kind). Symptoms of breast cancer can also include swelling of the breasts, tenderness or redness of the skin covering the breasts.
Symptoms of endometrial cancer in women
Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. It can cause symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, discharge or pain during sexual intercourse. Problems such as pain during urination, the presence of palpable lumpy masses in the pelvic area and weight loss are also possible in the course of the disease.
Symptoms of cervical cancer in women
Cervical cancer is a very serious female cancer - it usually only shows clear symptoms when it has reached a significant stage. Initially, patients may experience symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding - spotting may occur in postmenopausal women and bleeding after intercourse. Patients may also experience pain during and after intercourse, as well as various types of discharge.
The more advanced the cervical cancer is, the more discomfort it can lead to. Patients may experience, among other things, swelling of the lower limbs, as well as having disorders of intestinal peristalsis (manifested by constipation) or difficulties with urination.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer in women
Next to cervical cancer,ovarian cancer is another female cancer, the symptoms of which usually only appear when the disease has reached an advanced stage. The most common complaints associated with the disease are usually bloating, abdominal pain, a rapid feeling of fullness after meals and increased frequency of urination. Less common, but also possible symptoms of ovarian cancer, on the other hand, include sacral pain, constipation, irregularity of menstrual bleeding and a feeling of fatigue and pain during sexual intercourse.
Other symptoms of cancer in women
Women 's cancer can have both specific symptoms and a variety of very non-specific complaints. It is worth mentioning them here, as some of them may be underestimated by patients, but at the same time, if they persist over a long period of time and the reasons for them are not entirely clear, they definitely need to be looked into.
Among the discomforts that can result from cancer, the following should be mentioned in particular:
- unintentional weight loss,
- significant loss of appetite,
- night sweats,
- visual disturbances,
- impaired hearing,
- yellowing of the skin,
- frequent nausea and vomiting,
- a constant feeling of fatigue,
- marked decrease in exercise tolerance.
Some patients, even when they notice some kind of abnormality, avoid going to see their doctors - there are various reasons for this, one of which is the fear of being diagnosed with a serious illness. On the one hand, such fears are perfectly understandable, but on the other hand, delaying the start of the diagnostic process definitely does not help. The earlier a cancer is detected, the better the patient's chances of survival - for this reason, if a patient notices any worrying symptoms, she should see her doctor as soon as possible.
