Uterine Cancer Information
Symptoms
Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause, is a common symptom of uterine cancer. Bleeding may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood. Although detection of uterine cancer usually occurs after menopause, it sometimes occurs around the time that menopause begins. Abnormal bleeding should not be considered simply part of menopause; it should always be checked by a doctor as one of the possible signs of uterine cancer. A woman should see a doctor if she has any of the following uterine cancer symptoms:
Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge: If you have gone through menopause it is very important to report unusual bleeding or spotting to your doctor. Although this symptom also can occur with hyperplasia and some other conditions, it should be checked by your doctor. The discharge might be bloody or it might be white.
Difficult or painful urination
Pain during intercourse
Pelvic pain and/or mass and weight loss: These symptoms usually occur in the later stages of the disease. But delays in seeking medical help may allow the disease to progress even further, which lowers the chance for successful treatment.
In most cases, being alert for any uterine cancer symptoms and talking to your doctor right away allows the disease to be found at an early stage. Finding the cancer early improves the chances that it can be treated successfully. But sometimes the cancer is at an advanced stage before symptoms appear. Most often, these uterine cancer symptoms are not cancer, but only a doctor can tell for sure.
