(Newswire.net — April 28, 2021) — The symptoms that cancer brings can appear at any time, so you must watch out for them. Some of the more common symptoms of cancer in women include swelling of the lymph nodes, which can appear anywhere from the breast to the neck.
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used to kill cancerous cells and shrink the tumor. Sometimes, the doctor will recommend surgery only if the survival rate is not improving, and there are several types of complications. After surgery, the doctor may instruct the patient to undergo radiation therapy to keep the surrounding tissue from swelling. This will help the doctor give the patient some more time to recover. Surgery is usually indicated if the doctor is unsure about the prognosis of cancer or when additional treatment is needed to keep the surrounding tissue from swelling.
There are many different types of cancers and some of them are more common in women than in men. Here are four types of cancers commonly found in women:
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Breast Cancer
Because it affects many women, it’s important to educate women about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Women need to know how to spot the changes in their breasts. Early detection results in better prognosis and treatment. Learn what these symptoms are and how to tell if they indicate breast cancer or something else.
If there’s a family history of breast cancer in your immediate family, then your risk of breast cancer is higher. Your risk factors will also be influenced by your age, weight, and lifestyle.
Some of the first signs of breast cancer are lumps and swelling of the breast. If these occur along with any pain or discomfort in the breast, it’s important to get checked immediately by your doctor. If the lump in your breast is persistent, and it increases in size and intensity, you should see your doctor.
When breast tumors are detected, the doctor would recommend going through surgery to remove the tumors or the entire breast. Removal of the entire breast is called mastectomy. After surgery, doctors might recommend radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the stage of cancer based on the biopsy results.
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Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious forms of cancer that can develop in women. Ovarian cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and occurs most often in women who are in their reproductive age. Ovarian cancer develops when a woman has an abnormal growth in one or more of her reproductive organs, such as the ovary.
The most common type of cancer develops in the ovary, which is the fluid-filled region of the uterus. Most cancers of this type grow and spread through the body, but in rare cases, they only grow in one specific organ. If this is your case, then your doctor will likely perform surgery to remove either one or both of your ovaries.
If you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you’ll need to undergo several tests. A CT scan or ultrasound will most likely be ordered. You’ll be asked questions about your family medical history, and you’ll have blood and urine tests ordered as well. Blood tests will most likely be ordered to determine if there are any abnormal cells present in your ovary.
After you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you’ll most likely be given treatment. Treatment will depend on the cancer stage and will take into consideration how long it will take for you to recover from your condition. If your tumors are not very large, then you may opt for targeted therapy. Targeted therapy consists of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and surgery. Surgery may be recommended if your tumors are quite large.
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Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women. The cervix connects the vagina and the uterus. Cancer starts when cells migrate from the uterine lining to the cervix and spread through the vagina until they form a tumor.
Cigarette smoking, the use of certain drugs such as corticosteroids, and others are risk factors. As the woman ages, the chances of developing cervical cancer become greater. A woman may want to start screening for this disease at a younger age if there are no symptoms or if she has had no previous exposure to tobacco or other risk factors.
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Colorectal Cancer
Colon cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer because it develops slowly over time. Most colorectal cancer grows slowly, without causing any symptoms. Most of the time, cancer begins in a small part of the digestive system called the colon. Eventually, cancer will spread to other areas of your body and surrounding organs.
Some of the symptoms of colorectal cancer include blood in your stool. This symptom could mean that cancer has spread to your anal area or your stomach. Other symptoms include having pain or discomfort while eating, feeling tired or weak, having an increased level of cholesterol, frequent fever, and dark circles under the eyes.
Risk factors for developing colorectal polyps include being overweight, menopausal, long-standing use of alcoholic beverages, and family history. Obesity increases the risk factor of developing polyps by two times.
Treatment for this disease includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bariatric surgery, and dietary changes. Surgery or radiation therapy either alone or in combination is used to remove or decrease the size of the tumor through surgery. Bariatric surgery is used to reduce the size of the stomach that allows the large intestine to stretch. Dietary changes usually involve a diet that is high in protein, low in fat, and complex carbohydrates.
Final Thoughts
Women should take the time to screen for these cancers because when it’s discovered during the late stages, the prognosis and survival rate are low. It’s still a matter of time for scientists to discover a cure for cancer. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms for early cancer detection. When there’s a family history of cancer, you should ensure you get screening regularly and monitor your health. You should also ensure you live a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy food and doing regular exercise.