Symptoms of Female Cancers

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of last year. I just finished my last chemo treatment last week, yay! I found a lump in my breast, so that was a no brainer...had it checked out and it turned out to be cancer. Some of the other female cancers, such as ovarian cancer are harder to recognize and thus, aren't generally caught until the later stages. I had the BRCA analysis done and it was positive, so my cancer is considered genetic even though nobody in my family has ever had cancer. I am also at risk for ovarian cancer and will be having my ovaries removed as a precaution. The gynecology oncologist I saw said to watch out for a feeling of bloating that went on for an extended period of time (i.e. not during your menstrual cycle) and changes in bowel movements. The symptoms are very subtle, so again, it's very hard to diagnose. I will be closely monitored with ultrasounds and a test called a "CA 125" until such time as I have the surgery to remove them.

I'm not sure exactly what female cancer you're referring to, but I hope this was helpful. I do not believe that uterine cancer is "genetic" per se. I would also visit the American Cancer Society's website. That may have more information for you regarding symptoms to look out for. If you feel you may be at risk or are having an unexplained symptom, DO NOT WAIT! Have it checked out immediately. I caught my cancer early and even though I had to endure a double mastectomy and chemotherapy at age 35, I have an excellent prognosis and will likely be considered "cured" at some point. Best of luck to you.

I had no symptoms when diagnosed with Lymphoma (Hodgkins, specifically) 2 years ago.

Female cancers is a really tough one to answer because it is really vague. Symptoms for ovarian cancer don't appear until late stages. Breast cancer is actually several different diseases, and each has tell-tale differences.

Generally speaking, these are the signs of cancer: unexpected weight loss, nausea, fever, night sweats, fatigue

If you find a mass (mine was on my collarbone and was no larger than a frozen pea - in other words, completely normal for a lymph node), it will usually be hard, attached to a bone or nearby tissue and non-tender.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is quite deadly and is usually recognized by an inverted nipple, hot breasts (literally hot to the touch), the appearance of pitting like an orange on the skin, and one breast being enlarged compared to the other.

Myriad Genetics developed and sells the BRAC Analysis diagnostic test that determines whether or not you have the genes believed to be responsible for some breast and ovarian cancers. It allows your physicians to monitor you more closely and hopefully, diagnose in early stages. It's covered by most insurances and protects you from being dropped by your insurance company if you do carry the genes.

You're welcome to send me a private message if you'd like to more know. I wish I didn't know all of this, but it's still fresh in my mind.

I have never had cancer, but my stepmother, who was only 47 at the time was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. For months she had been having really bad lower back pain, weight loss and her nipples were inverted. She didn't have inverted nipples normally, they just became that way. She didn't go to the doctor because she thought it was OLD AGE!!!!! She did not have any family history of cancers, especially breast cancer. If this question is about you, please go to your doctor no matter how small your symptoms might be.

Go to the doctor if you have any unusual symptoms, please! Cervical and ovarian cancer is often very treatable when caught early, but is often very advanced by the time symptoms occur. Breast cancer treatments have also come so far in the last fifteen years, but waiting until you have a lump isn't as helpful as having regular mammograms when they can find abnormal cell formations before they've advanced far.