41 strange symptoms that can signal a serious disease

Many people blame their weight gain on a sluggish thyroid – after all, this butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck helps control your metabolism. But a slow creep in weight is less likely with a malfunctioning thyroid than sudden weight gain – like 10 kilograms in a month – says Dr. Sontag. Either way, your doctor may want to do a thyroid blood test to rule out the condition. Here are 50 health secrets every woman over 50 should know.

If you frequently feel like food is caught in your throat or find yourself changing the way you eat (like taking baby bites or avoiding certain bulky foods), this may be a sign of oesophageal cancer. A medical history and physical exam can tell your doctor if it’s a possibility. If so, they may order an imaging test to check for cancer.

Dimpled skin may be a sign of underlying breast cancer, says Dr. Sontag. “The orange peel look comes from swelling,” he adds and may be caused by inflammatory breast cancer. (The term is called “peau d’orange.”) A physical exam will be up first, and your doctor may examine breast tissue through a mammogram or ultrasound.

Oddly enough, developing a lymph node on the top of your left clavicle can be a sign of stomach cancer, says Dr. Sontag. (This is called Virchow’s node.) If you notice any strange lumps or bumps that have recently appeared, call your doctor.

A soft bulge around this area may be what’s called an umbilical hernia. But you’re right to get it checked out by your doctor: It could also be a lymph node called a Sister Mary Joseph nodule and a sign of underlying cancer, says Dr. Sontag. “Sometimes your body is doing what it should, and it’s OK to have lumps. But any time you notice anything unusual that’s changed, it’s always worth getting checked out,” he says.

Light spotting isn’t anything to be worried about – in fact, it’s often normal. But period-like bleeding warrants a trip to your doctor who may be concerned about uterine cancer. Early diagnosis is key: Women diagnosed in stage 1 have a five-year survival rate of 88 percent.

You know to look for changing moles that are irregular in shape, size or colour (learn the ABCDE‘s of skin cancer), but a new one that pops up should raise your suspicion even more. A new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 70 percent of melanomas arose from a new mole, while only 30 percent sprang from an existing one. Talk to your dermatologist about any new skin spots, and get an annual skin check to make sure your body-wide complexion is in the clear. Head here to find out more on how to recognise melanoma.

Beyond simply eating too much sushi (hello, soy sauce) or expecting your period any day now, abnormal and uncomfortable bloating can be a sign of ovarian cancer. You may also wee more frequently, grapple with pelvic pain, or experience pain during sex. If your doctor suspects ovarian cancer, they will first run a physical exam to look for things like an enlarged ovary. Here are 12 other reasons why your belly might be bloated.

Are you pregnant? A liver disease called cholestasis of pregnancy can cause severe, drive-you-batty itching on your hands and feet. It’s rare, but something to watch out for: While mum isn’t at risk (except for the itching), it can be dangerous for the baby; it increases the likelihood of complications like preterm delivery. Inducing labour may be one option your OB/GYN will consider.

There’s another cause for itchy skin not related to pregnancy – liver damage called cirrhosis. As the American Liver Foundation points out, early damage to the organ often carries zero symptoms. Later, sufferers may experience itching or a yellow cast to their skin, called jaundice. Luckily, after diagnosis, you can prevent further damage by eating healthy and exercising.