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Uterus Cancer Symptoms: How to Identify Early Signs
By Raveena M Prakash
Being a woman is not easy, as everyone would agree with this. But when it comes to a woman’s health, the body is continuously sending signals when something is not right; some signs are subtle, while some are loud. Sometimes the smallest signs could be a warning sign that something is off in your body. In women, one of the ignored parts of the body is the womb. Being a woman gives an immense opportunity to create an entire human from the body. If you notice any unusual symptoms like irregular bleeding, heavy white discharge, or continuous discomfort, then it's high time to pay attention, ladies!
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into what uterine cancer is, why it happened, how to spot it early, and what you can do if you notice any of these symptoms.
What is Uterine cancer?
The uterus, also known as the womb, is a pear-shaped organ in the pelvis, where the baby grows during the pregnancy. Currently, one of the most common types of cancer in women is uterine cancer, also commonly known as endometrial cancer. Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the endometrium of the uterus.
These cancers often cause abnormal bleeding. In many cases, these cancers are detected early due to identifying these symptoms. In early stages, the treatment is often considered most effective.
Why early detection matters!
If you are a woman experiencing any of the signs like abdominal pain, cramping, unusual bleeding, or vaginal bleeding, then do not ignore it. With early detection and timely treatments, the survival rates for endometrial cancer appear to be extremely high.
The earlier you get the medical attention and see a doctor, the less likely the cancer will spread, and you get the advantage of undergoing effective and intensive cancer treatments on time.
Many women won’t seek any medical professionals' help, as they might consider these signs as part of their menopause, fibroids, or hormonal changes. Many studies claim that abnormalities between menopause or periods between periods are often not normal.
What are the early signs and symptoms?
Here are some of the early signs and symptoms of uterine (endometrial) cancer. These symptoms are not guaranteed to be uterine cancer. In some cases, these signs can appear, as some benign cancers also cause similar conditions, but they should not be ignored.
Here are some of red flags, you should not avoid, these may include:
- Experiencing vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Bleeding when you stopped menstruating ‘is never normal’
- Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- Unusually heavy or prolonged periods
- Experiencing heavy vaginal discharge, watery, blood-stained, foul smelling not considered as ‘never’.
- Lower or abdominal pain or cramping
Symptoms that indicate more advanced cancer
Here are some of the symptoms of more advanced cancer in women, including:
- Feeling a sense of fullness
- Experiencing bloating in abdomen/ pelvis
- Changes in bladder or bowel movements
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme weakness or fatigue
Note: If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then it shows that the cancer has progressed or spread into distant organs.
Who is at higher risk for developing these cancers?
These are some of the factors that increase the risk of developing these cancers in women. Understanding how these factors cause cancer can change the story of many women's lives. It will help you take proactive action towards prevention if you have any of these risk factors. This will help you to stay alert to know the symptoms early.
Here are some of the risk factors, including:
- Obesity or being significantly overweight
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, or PCOS, which can cause or affect hormonal imbalance
- Early start of menstruation (before the age of 12)
- Late menopause after the age of 50
- Never got pregnant or treatments such as certain hormonal therapies that change estrogen/progesterone balance.
What to do if you notice any of these signs?
If you or any loved ones of yours are constantly experiencing any of these symptoms, then do not ignore it! If you have been bleeding after completing your menopause period, or between period phases, or experiencing anything unusual like white discharge, then get an gynaecologist/ oncologist appointment immediately.
While visiting your gynecologist, get your medical certificates, share your symptoms clearly, and do not hesitate. Try to recall when it started, how often you are experiencing these symptoms, what it looks like, any discomfort or pain, and any other changes.
Try to be mentally and physically ready for your physical examination. Your doctor might perform a pelvic examination. A healthcare provider will also perform a transvaginal ultrasound and endometrial biopsy. This procedure includes collecting a suspected tissue from the uterine line and some other scans as well.
Here are some of the questions, you can ask your healthcare provider:
- Is this irregular bleeding serious?
- What test should we do, further!
- If these symptoms are not cancer, then what could it be?
Note: Even after undergoing treatments or after completing treatments, follow a healthy lifestyle. If you want to reduce the risk of cancer development, maintain a healthy weight, manage diabetes/ hyper tension, and avoid unnecessary risky behavior or unnecessary use of hormones without any physician’s supervision.
Consult Today
Any abnormal bleeding, especially in women after menopause, is a sign that something is not right. When this abdominal bleeding happens, do not ignore it, because it could be a warning sign of uterine cancer. As we all know, early detection equals better treatment outcomes in patients. The earlier the cancer gets detected, the easier the treatment and the better the prognosis.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Care and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today! Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the symptoms of uterine cancer, including:
- Vaginal bleeding between periods before menopause
- Vaginal bleeding or experiencing spotting after menopause, even a small amount
- Lower abdominal pain
- Experiencing cramping in the uterus, pelvis, below the belly
- Clear white vaginal discharge
- Heavy or long term vaginal bleeding if your older than 40 years old
Here are some of the risk factors for uterine cancer, including:
- Patients with getting older
- Diet high in animal fat
- Family history of uterine cancer
Here are some of the treatment options used to treat these cancer, including:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
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