Learn 18 Common Cancer Symptoms and Signs in Men and Women

• Unexplained vaginal hemorrhage or discharge

o Abnormal vaginal bleeding or bloody discharge may be an early symptom of uterine cancer. Women should be evaluated when they have bleeding after intercourse or bleeding between cycles.

o Bleeding that returns last two or more days longer than planned or is heavier than usual requires medical attention.

o Postmenopausal bleeding is especially concerning and should be investigated unless it is predicted by hormone therapy.

o An endometrial biopsy, in which a clinician extracts a tiny tissue sample from inside the uterus for testing, is usually part of the evaluation.

o A Pap smear should be routinely performed on all women.

• Sudden weight loss, nocturnal sweats, or fever

o These nonspecific symptoms may be present with a variety of cancers. Pancreatic cancer can manifest as weight loss with no discernible pain.

o Various infections can cause symptoms that are identical (for example, tuberculosis).

• Persistent itching in the anal or vaginal region

o Precancerous or cancerous skin diseases of the vaginal or anal areas can cause chronic itching.

o Some malignancies induce changes in skin color.

o These symptoms can also be caused by a variety of illnesses or skin problems (for example, fungal infections or psoriasis). If irritation does not stop with over-the-counter topical treatments, your doctor should evaluate the area.

• Nonhealing wounds

o In general, sores heal fast. If an area does not heal properly, you may have cancer and should consult a doctor.

o Unhealing mouth sores or chronic white or red areas on your gums, tongue, or tonsils could also be cause for concern.

o Poor circulation may be the cause of some nonhealing lesions (for example, diabetic foot ulcers).

• Headaches

o There are various causes of headaches (for example, migraines and aneurysms), but cancer is not one of them.

o A severe, unrelenting headache that feels different from normal can be an indication of malignancy, although aneurysms can also present in this manner.

o See a doctor as soon as your headache does not better with over-the-counter drugs.

• Suffering from back pain, pelvic discomfort, bloating, or indigestion

o These are ordinary symptoms of everyday life, often associated with food consumption, muscle spasms, or stresses, but they can also be seen in ovarian cancer.

o Ovarian cancer is particularly difficult to treat since it is typically detected late in the disease’s progression.

o The American Cancer Society and other groups have been working to increase awareness of this diagnosis among both patients and physicians.