You gained 10 kilograms this month
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.
You swallow and something feels stuck
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.
Your breast skin is nubby like an orange peel
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.