While the symptoms mentioned in this article can be caused by benign (noncancerous) conditions, it’s always best to see a healthcare provider if you are experiencing them.
This article reviews symptoms of cancer in women, including pelvic pain, bloating, low-back pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge, fever, night sweats, changes in bathroom habits, fatigue, and weight, vulva, and breast changes.
Pelvic Pain
Pain below the waist is normal near your period. But if it lasts longer than that, see a healthcare professional.
Pelvic pain (lower belly between the hips) is common for ovarian and endometrial (a type of uterine cancer) but can also be experience with these cancers:
Cervical Fallopian tube Vaginal
Constant Bloating
Abdominal swelling and bloating are symptoms of ovarian cancer. Lots of factors can cause your belly to bloat, so this is an easy symptom to overlook.
Low-Back Pain
Low-back pain often feels like a dull ache or labor pains. Check with a healthcare provider if the pain doesn’t go away. It may be a symptom of ovarian cancer.
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding or Discharge
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a common symptom of gynecologic cancer. Heavy periods, bleeding between periods, and bleeding during and after sex are reasons to seek medical care.
Bleeding here is linked to these cancers:
CervicalUterineOvarianVaginal
Fever or Night Sweats
If a fever lasts longer than seven days on and off, talk to your healthcare provider. A stubborn fever or night sweats can be a sign of cancer, especially leukemia and lymphoma.
Fevers caused by cancer can come in cycles. This is when you get a temperature around the same time each day. It may go away for a few days or weeks and then return. Other cancers that can be caused by cancer include:
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) Hodgkin’s lymphoma Ovarian Acute or chronic leukemia (blood cancer) Kidney (renal) Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) Soft tissue sarcoma Adrenal gland tumor Tumors in the hypothalamus (a part of the brain)
Keep in mind that lots of other health conditions also cause fevers.
Changes in Bathroom Habits
Bowel habits can change from time to time. If you notice any of these changes, mention them to a healthcare provider:
Constipation Diarrhea Blood in the stool Gas Thin or loose stools Rectal bleeding A feeling that your bowel won’t empty all the way Changes in how often you have a bowel movement
These symptoms could be due to something you ate. This is especially true if you have:
Problems digesting dairy Celiac disease (gluten sensitivity) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
However, there is also a chance they may be related to gynecologic cancers such as vaginal, ovarian, or colon cancer.
Weight Change
Your weight can go up and down throughout the month. But if you lose 10 pounds or more without trying, talk to a healthcare provider. Unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of the following types of cancer:
Ovarian Colorectal Pancreatic Gastroesophageal Lung Renal (kidney) Myeloma (rare blood cancer) Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Biliary tree (system of ducts, organs, and other structures that produce, store, secrete, and transport bile)
Weight gain and weight cycling can also raise the risk of cancer in women after menopause. Weight cycling is a pattern of gaining then losing weight.
Vulva Changes
It’s a good idea to look at your vulva and vagina regularly. Look for symptoms of vulvar cancer like these:
Sores, blisters, or lumps on the vulva Blisters Skin color changes Skin changes that look like a rash or warts Itching or burning Bleeding on the vulva that does not go away Discharge
Unusual Breast Changes
Changes in your breasts can indicate breast cancer. It is most common in women 50 years and older. Signs and symptoms to watch for during your monthly breast self-exam include:
Lumps (especially hard lumps) Lumps that don’t move easily or go away with menstrual cycle changes Skin changes (redness, swelling, dry, thick, itchy rash) Nipple discharge (when not pregnant or breastfeeding) A nipple that turns inward Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone Dimpling or puckering of the breast Breast pain not related to your period (this is an extremely rare symptom).
If you notice any changes, discuss them with a healthcare professional right away.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common cancer symptom. It’s more common when cancer is advanced, but it can occur in the early stages. Cancer fatigue is different from being overly tired. It doesn’t go away from a good night’s sleep or with caffeine. If fatigue keeps you from normal daily activities, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.
While this is not an all-inclusive list, cancers that may cause fatigue include:
Leukemia Lymphoma Multiple myeloma Some bone cancers Colon (most likely from blood loss that leads to anemia) Stomach (most likely from blood loss) Metastatic (cancer that moves to another part of the body) lung Metastatic ovarian Some breast cancers’ Cancers that affect the endocrine or autonomic nervous systems
Summary
Symptoms such as pelvic pain, bloating, lower back pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, vulva changes, and unusual breast changes can indicate gynecological (specific to the female reproductive system) cancers.
Fever, night sweats, changes in bathroom habits, and weight changes can indicate cancers such as colon cancer, pancreatic, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and more.
While the symptoms mentioned in this article can be caused by noncancerous conditions, it’s always best to see a healthcare provider if you are experiencing them.
A Word From Verywell
Early treatment raises your chances of surviving cancer. That’s why it’s so important to notice and seek care for changes like these.
If you have pain, bloating, fever, bleeding, or changes to your bathroom habits, talk to a healthcare professional. The same goes for changes in your breasts, vulva, weight, or energy levels.
Chances are, your symptoms aren’t cancer. But speaking up about them could lead to an early diagnosis and treatment if cancer is the culprit.
