Symptoms of cancer in women
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Symptoms of Cancer in Women
Breast Cancer Symptoms
Fatigue, Cognitive Impairment, and Mood Problems
Women with breast cancer often experience a range of symptoms that can be grouped into clusters. These clusters include fatigue, perceived cognitive impairment, and mood problems, which are prevalent across different stages of the disease1. Fatigue is particularly noted as a distressing and frequent symptom among breast cancer survivors, significantly impacting their quality of life9.
Pain, Nausea, and Gastrointestinal Issues
During treatment, women with both early-stage and metastatic breast cancer report severe symptoms such as general pain, nausea, decreased appetite, and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and constipation. These symptoms tend to be more severe in patients with metastatic disease3.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Abdominal and Pelvic Pain
A significant proportion of women with high-risk early-stage ovarian cancer present with symptoms, the most common being abdominal or pelvic pain. These symptoms are often associated with the size of the tumor, with larger tumors causing more symptoms2.
Bloating, Fullness, and Lack of Energy
Women with ovarian cancer frequently report symptoms such as unusual bloating, fullness, and pressure in the abdomen, as well as abdominal or lower back pain and a general lack of energy. These symptoms are much more common in women with ovarian cancer compared to healthy controls5.
Uterine Cancer Symptoms
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most widely investigated symptom associated with uterine cancer. This symptom is prevalent in both pre- and postmenopausal women and is a significant indicator of the disease8. The presence of abnormal bleeding often leads to early diagnosis, which is crucial for effective treatment.
Gynaecological Cancer Symptoms
Normalization and Help-Seeking Barriers
Women often normalize symptoms potentially indicative of gynaecological cancers, attributing them to other conditions or demographic factors like age and hormonal contraception use. This normalization acts as a barrier to seeking medical help, which can delay diagnosis and treatment4. Common symptoms include unusual bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in menstrual cycles10.
Conclusion
Understanding the symptoms of various cancers in women is crucial for early detection and treatment. Breast cancer symptoms often include fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mood problems, while ovarian cancer is commonly associated with abdominal pain and bloating. Uterine cancer frequently presents with abnormal uterine bleeding. Recognizing these symptoms and overcoming barriers to seeking medical help can significantly improve outcomes for women with cancer.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Symptom Clusters in Breast Cancer Across 3 Phases of the Disease
Three symptom clusters, involving fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mood problems, were identified across three phases of breast cancer experience.
Meta-Analysis
Highly CitedSymptoms of Women With High-Risk Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer
More than 70% of high-risk early-stage ovarian cancer patients experience symptoms, with abdominal or pelvic pain being the most common, and symptoms increase with tumor size.
Observational Study
Very Rigorous JournalAbstract P5-07-12: Patient-Reported Symptom Burden in Women Undergoing Treatment for Early Stage and Metastatic Breast Cancer
Women with metastatic and early stage breast cancer both report severe symptoms during treatment, with early stage patients potentially having different symptom profiles and unmet needs not captured by common PROs.
Women's interpretation of and responses to potential gynaecological cancer symptoms: a qualitative interview study
Women often attribute potential gynecological cancer symptoms to existing illnesses or predispositions, but may overlook cancer as a possible cause, leading to delayed diagnosis and poorer cancer survival.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalSymptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Unusual bloating, fullness, and pressure, abdominal or back pain, and lack of energy are prominent symptoms in women with ovarian cancer and distinguish them from healthy women.
Observational StudyHighly CitedMenopausal symptom clusters and their correlates in women with and without a history of breast cancer: a pooled data analysis from the Women's Wellness Research Program
Women with a history of breast cancer experience more menopausal symptoms, which are similar to those in women without a history of breast cancer, but their correlates differ.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalSymptom concerns of women with ovarian cancer.
Women with ovarian cancer experience distress over delayed diagnoses, pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal effects, and menstrual and fertility changes, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic tests, symptom management, and patient education.
Observational StudyHighly CitedSigns and symptoms associated with uterine cancer in pre- and postmenopausal women
Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most widely studied symptom for uterine cancer, but more research is needed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of other signs and symptoms.
Systematic ReviewCancer-related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Review.
Cancer-related fatigue is a common and serious symptom that significantly affects the quality of life for breast cancer survivors after treatment.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedExperience of symptoms indicative of gynaecological cancers in UK women
Symptoms potentially indicative of gynecological cancer are common, and encouraging prompt help-seeking may increase the burden on primary care, but targeting those at increased risk (older women with frequent or severe symptoms) may avoid unmanageable increases.
Observational StudyRigorous Journal