Many women are convinced: if nothing hurts, then their health is fine. However, in the case of oncological diseases, it is often the absence of pronounced symptoms that becomes the main danger.
Why "nothing hurts" is the most dangerous signal: an oncologist on hidden symptoms of the disease Many women believe that if there is no pain, then there are no health problems either. But in oncology, this misconception can cost lives.
The dangerous process often develops silently, for years, and the first signals are not pain, but barely noticeable changes that we rarely pay attention to. Surgical oncologist Anna Makarova, in a conversation with WomanHit, explained which symptoms should not be ignored.
The main signal is not pain
According to the expert, the first thing that should raise concern is unexplained fatigue. "The main symptom is weakness, rapid fatigue, which indicates that there is already some process. It may not hurt until the very last moment," warns Anna. That is, a person feels exhausted, quickly runs out of breath, but attributes it to stress, age, or lack of sleep. The cause may be much more serious.
What else should raise concern
One of the most common signs of gynecological cancers is abnormal discharge. "In cervical cancer, this can be bloody discharge after intercourse. You might not pay attention, thinking it’s due to an incorrectly chosen position or something else insignificant," explains the doctor. But in reality, blood on days when menstruation is still far off may indicate a malignant process.
Also, heavy menstruation can be a symptom of endometrial cancer. A woman may attribute heavy blood loss to hormonal imbalance or age-related changes, while the process is progressing.
Abdominal enlargement
If the abdomen has noticeably increased in size over a short period, this is a reason for an urgent visit to the doctor. "Abdominal enlargement over the last six months may indicate that there is some process. It could be ovarian cancer, peritoneal cancer, or cancer of the fallopian tubes," warns the oncologist. Many women calmly perceive "rounded shapes," thinking it is just age-related changes or a feature of their figure. But often, this conceals ascites — fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity due to a tumor.
Itching and discomfort
Vulvar cancer is more common in older patients, and its first manifestations can easily be mistaken for a trivial problem. "It can manifest as periodic itching. A woman may think she just chafed her perineum with underwear or a sanitary pad, but in fact, this can be a manifestation of a malignant process," explains the specialist.
Any persistent itching, burning, or feeling of a foreign body in the area of the external genitalia is a reason to consult a gynecologist, especially if the symptoms do not go away after changing hygiene products.
Oncological diseases are insidious precisely because, at early stages, they often do not cause pain. Listen to yourself. If something has changed — do not wait for it to "resolve itself." The body sends only weak signals: rapid fatigue, unusual discharge, abdominal enlargement, itching. Timely diagnosis can save your life and maintain its quality.
The main danger of oncological diseases lies in their hidden course. The absence of pain does not guarantee the absence of a problem, so any unusual changes in well-being require attention and timely consultation with a doctor.
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