Symptoms

There is Hope – Prevention and Early Detection

Several of the known factors associated with an increased risk of developing cancer can be managed. They include: physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and obesity.

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If you have any of the symptoms outlined below, speak to your healthcare provider right away. Don't ignore the symptoms. Ignoring the symptoms can give the cancer time to grow into a more advanced stage and lower your chance for effective treatment.

Screening Recommendations
from the American Cancer Society

Uterine Cancer

Finding uterine sarcoma while in its early stage makes it easier to treat. These are the symptoms that you may notice.

Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, especially after menopause. At first, the bleeding may appear watery with a small amount of blood in it. After a while, the bleeding may appear less watery with more blood in it.
Pain or a feeling of fullness in the pelvic area or lower abdomen.
Fibroids that grow quickly, especially after menopause.

Many of these may be signs of other health problems. Talk with your doctor right away to find out for sure.

Cervical Cancer

In its early stages, cervical cancer or early cervical pre-cancerous abnormalities usually have no signs or symptoms. That's why it's important to get Pap tests regularly. The only way to tell if you have an early pre-cancer, which can be treated, is to have regular Pap tests.

Symptoms usually do not show up until the cancer becomes invasive and grows into nearby tissue. The most common symptoms at this stage are:

Unusual discharge from the vagina
Blood spots or light bleeding when you're not having your period
Bleeding after menopause
Bleeding or pain during sex

Additional symptoms may occur. These include:

Anemia because of abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Ongoing pelvic, leg, or back pain.
Urinary problems because of blockage of a kidney or ureter.
Bleeding from the rectum or bladder.
Weight loss.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. Women with early breast cancer usually do not feel pain or experience any symptoms at all. Screening tests are better able to detect the disease at this time. As the cancer grows, however, it can cause the following changes.

A lump or thickening in or near your breast or under your arm
A change in the size or shape of your breast
Nipple discharge, tenderness, or inversion, meaning the nipple pulls back into your breast
A change in the way the skin of your breast, areola, or nipple looks or feels. (For example, the skin may look like the skin of an orange.)

These symptoms may be caused by breast cancer or by other, less serious conditions. It’s important to check with a doctor to be sure.

Ovarian Cancer

Historically, ovarian cancer was called the “silent killer.” That’s because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of cure was poor. Recent studies, though, have shown this term is not accurate. The following symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population:

bloating
pelvic or abdominal pain
difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies. The frequency and/or number of symptoms are a key factor in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than 2-3 weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Several studies show that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage. And early stage is associated with an improved prognosis.

Several other symptoms have been commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer. These symptoms include:

fatigue
indigestion
back pain
pain with intercourse
constipation
menstrual irregularities

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Uterine Cancer

Cervical Cancer

Breast Cancer

Ovarian Cancer