Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer predominantly report unexplained abdominal bloating that appears quite suddenly and recurs periodically over a long period of time.
9. Feeling full and unable to eat
This is another symptom of ovarian cancer: women report a loss of appetite and an inability to eat, even if they haven’t eaten for some time.
10. Pelvic or abdominal pain
Pain and cramps in the pelvis and abdomen can be accompanied by swelling, which often signals ovarian cancer. Leukemia can also cause abdominal pain due to an enlarged spleen.
11. Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
This is a common symptom of a colon cancer diagnosis. Blood in the toilet alone is reason to contact your doctor and schedule a colonoscopy.
12. Unexplained weight loss.
Weight loss is an early sign of colon cancer and other digestive cancers; it is also a sign of cancer that has spread to the liver, affecting appetite and the body’s ability to eliminate waste products.
13. Abdominal pain
Stomach cramps or frequent stomach discomfort may indicate colon cancer.
14. Redness, pain, or swelling of the breasts
These symptoms may indicate inflammatory breast cancer. If you experience any unexplained changes in your breasts, contact your doctor.
15. Changes in the nipple
One of the most common changes women notice before a breast cancer diagnosis is a flattening, inverting, or turning of the nipple to one side.
16. Unusually heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods
Many women report this as a symptom of endometrial or uterine cancer. Request a transvaginal ultrasound if you suspect something more than a normal heavy menstrual cycle.
17. Swelling of facial features
Some lung cancer patients report swelling, puffiness, or redness of the face. Small cell lung cancers often block blood vessels in the chest, preventing blood from flowing freely away from the head and face.
18. A skin cancer or lump that doesn’t heal, scabs, or bleeds easily
Learn more about the different types of skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) and be sure to check your skin all over your body for any strange-looking growths or spots.
19. Changes in nails
Unexplained changes in your nails can be a sign of several types of cancer. A brown or black streak or spot under your fingernail may indicate skin cancer, and newly discovered “clubbering” (enlarged fingertips with nails curling downward at the tips) can be a sign of lung cancer. Pale or white fingernails can sometimes be a sign of liver cancer.
