Women's bodies are always changing. Sometimes changes that seem normal can be signs of cancer, though.
The
key is to pay attention to your body so you can notice when something's
different, says Robyn Andersen, PhD, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center in Seattle. "New symptoms indicate something has changed
in your body, and you want to know what that means."
So, what should you watch for?
1. Breast changes
Most breast lumps aren't cancer, but your doctor should always check them. Let her know about these changes, too:
- Skin dimpling or puckering
- Nipples that turn inward
- Nipple discharge
- Redness or scaling of your nipple or breast skin
To
look for the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will do a physical
exam and ask you questions about your medical history. You may also have
tests like a mammogram or a biopsy, when doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue for testing.
2. Bloating
"Women
are natural bloaters," says Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at NYU
Langone Medical Center. "It's OK to wait a week or two to see if it goes
away."
If your symptoms don't get better with time, or if they
happen with weight loss or bleeding, see a doctor. Constant bloating can
sometimes mean ovarian cancer.
You'll have a pelvic exam as well as blood tests, and sometimes an
ultrasound, to look for the cause of the problem, Andersen says.
3. Between-Period Bleeding
If
you’re still getting periods, tell your doctor if you’re spotting
between them. Bleeding that’s not a part of your usual monthly cycle can
have many causes, but your doctor will want to rule out endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of your uterus).
Bleeding after menopause is never normal and should be checked right away.
4: Skin Changes
A
change in the size, shape, or color of a mole or other spot is a common
sign of skin cancer. See your doctor for a thorough exam and perhaps a
biopsy. This is one time you don't want to wait, Meyers says.
5. Blood in Your Pee or Stool
Talk
to your doctor if you're bleeding from a part of your body that
normally doesn't, especially if the bleeding lasts more than a day or
two, Meyers says.
Bloody stool is often from hemorrhoids, but it
can also be a symptom of colon cancer. Bloody urine is usually the first
sign of cancer of the bladder or kidneys, says Herbert Lepor, MD, a
urologist at NYU's Langone.
6. Changes in Lymph Nodes
Lymph
nodes are small, bean-shaped glands around the body. Most changes in
them come from common infections. But some cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma, can also cause lymph nodes to swell.
