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4 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Posted by Melissa Hanes
Estimated Reading Time 1 minute 33 seconds

4 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

We often assume that we might develop a few odd pains or inconvenient symptoms after age 60 or so. But sometimes, seemingly minor annoyances can signal the onset of a serious disease. That is certainly the case with bladder cancer, which is the fourth most common type of cancer in men (and can affect women as well). If any of these four symptoms happen to you, don’t ignore them, and talk to your doctor about investigating their cause.

Changes in urination. If you need to urinate more frequently, have a weak urine stream, or feel like you need to urinate even when you don’t, it can be easy to confuse these symptoms with a urinary tract infection. Some people simply assume these are normal signs of aging. But in some cases, these can be early warning signs of bladder cancer.

Flank pain. Many people with bladder cancer won’t feel any pain until the disease has quite progressed. But some do notice flank pain, which is pain between the abdomen and lower back on one side. Never just assume this type of pain is related to exercise, a pulled muscle, or some other common ailment.

You see blood in your urine. You might notice a pink or red tinge to your urine, but then it disappears for weeks at a time. Just because a symptom isn’t constant, doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. Even if the blood is not accompanied by pain or any other symptom, you shouldn’t dismiss it.

Your doctor finds traces of blood in your urine. Your doctor might find microscopic amounts of blood in your urine during a routine exam. This tiny amount of blood is often blamed on another cause, such as a urinary tract infection. But in some cases, this early warning sign of bladder cancer is missed (especially in women). Always insist that your doctor rule out bladder cancer if blood is found in your urine.

The good news is that bladder cancer is often found early in its progression, when it can be halted quickly. You can influence the odds in your favor by remaining vigilant regarding the above warning signs and maintaining regular communication with your primary care doctor.

Melissa Hanes
OKMedicareHelp.com // getmedicarehelp@melissahanes.com

I was born in Oklahoma and raised in Neosho, MO. My husband (Derek) and I have 6 children and 6 sweet grandchildren who we adore. It wasn’t until 2009 when I moved back to Oklahoma that I started my insurance career and developed a passion for educating seniors on their rights and options regarding Medicare. Over the last decade I’ve been helping this under served population by empowering them to make the best insurance decisions for their individual healthcare needs.

In 2019 I resigned my position as Sales Manager for one of the nation’s largest Medicare insurance carriers to join the amazing team at OKMedicareHelp. I provided support, training and mentorship to hundreds of independent insurance agents around the state of Oklahoma and gave them the tools they needed to make the right impact for Medicare beneficiaries. The experience I gained in my previous role gave me a unique look at how to help navigate the complexities of Medicare for both Medicare beneficiaries and agents alike.

I pride myself on operating with the highest integrity and having a heart to serve our local senior community. I would be honored to help you navigate the complexities of Medicare and be of service for all your insurance needs.

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