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The Rx: “To catch oral cancer early, be sure to see your dentist twice a year and ask if a routine cancer exam is part of the cleaning visit,” says Dayan.
11. Irregular Periods
Menstrual irregularities can be a sign of cancer, says Stocker, including regular periods that go from spotting or even regular flow a few days in between periods, having only spotting for a period, having excessively heavy periods, going through more feminine products that usual, bleeding after sex, or having a period or spotting years after having stopped your period.
The Rx: If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule a visit to your healthcare provider.
12. suffering from abdominal pain
“If women have any repetitive bloating or any abnormal pelvic pain—like feeling full too quickly or difficulty urinating—they should have it checked out,” says Sharyn Lewin, MD, a gynecologic oncologist and founder of The Lewin Fund to Fight Women’s Cancers. “Any new symptoms that occur on a frequent or repetitive basis need to be evaluated.”
The Rx: “Having any of these symptoms one to two times is normal, but anything beyond that becomes an issue you should see a doctor for,” says Lewin.
13. Loss Of Appetite
Is this the first time you’ve looked at your mother’s freshly made crepes and don’t salivate? “Sudden loss of your appetite could be a sign of cancer,” says Lewin.
The Rx: “The most important thing is to know your body. Anything that seems different should be checked out,” she adds.
14. Being Overweight
“Studies show that 13 different types of cancers are associated with being overweight,” says Lewin. “According to the CDC, nearly 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. tie back to obesity being the cause.”
The Rx: “All the data points to the importance of a plant-based diet, including leafy green vegetables, a small portion of whole grains and lean meats,” says Lewin. “Avoid processed foods and saturated fats, as well as bad sugars.”
15. A New Type of Headache
“Many of us have headaches, sometimes daily, weekly or monthly. For most people, these headaches have the same patterns,” says Graber. “However, if you have a new headache you’ve never had before, even if it’s a minor headache, it’s worth being evaluated.” A brain tumor can create increased pressure in the brain or interfere with absorption and distribution of cerebrospinal fluid, which can lead to headaches.
The Rx: If you’re experiencing new-onset headaches, see your physician.
16. Nausea and Vomiting
“Most often, nausea is of little to no concern, secondary to viral gastroenteritis or another temporary illness,” says Graber. “However, sometimes persistent nausea and vomiting can be due to a slow-growing brain mass, and it would be useful to be seen by a physician.”
17. Night Sweats
“Often times women attribute this to menopause or perimenopause-type symptoms, but sweats that occur primarily at nighttime can be associated with different malignancies, such as lymphoma,” says Shikha Jain, MD, FACP, assistant professor of medicine at Rush University Cancer Center.
The Rx: “See your primary care doctor regularly, at least once a year,” says Jain. “If anything changes in your health in a significant way, contact your physician and let them know to determine if any testing needs to be done.”
18. Chronic Pain
“Persistent pain can also be overlooked by women, mostly because women tend to put themselves last when it comes to their own health needs,” says Mandal.
The Rx: “Don’t ignore new issues, and have yourself checked as soon as you can,” she advises. “Don’t put yourself last.”
19. Shortness of Breath
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women,” says Dr. Nikki Stamp, FRACS, a cardiothoracic surgeon in Perth, Australia. “Women are more likely to be non-smokers than men, meaning that both women and healthcare providers may not think of lung cancer initially. The most common subtype of lung cancer in women is called adenocarcinoma, which tends to have symptoms like shortness of breath, weight loss, chest pain or fatigue.”
The Rx: “More awareness may lead to more women asking their doctor to consider lung cancer as a diagnosis,” says Stamp. “We all know our bodies, and if something isn’t right, ask for help and be sure you get an answer.”
20. Bleeding After Intercourse
“Sometimes bleeding after intercourse can be a sign of a more serious problem,” says Phillips. It may be a symptom of cervical cancer.
The Rx: “If bleeding after intercourse is a persistent problem, it should be evaluated,” says Phillips. “Checking to make sure you have had a recent and normal pap smear, no infections, and normal anatomy is important.” And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest.
