TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Money Tips
    • Savings
    • Insurance
    • Loans
    • Investments
    • Government Benefits
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • COVID-19
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Cancer signs that can easily be mistaken for pregnancy symptoms

3 min read
Cancer signs that can easily be mistaken for pregnancy symptoms

Did you know that some pregnancy symptoms can also be linked to symptoms of breast, ovarian, and other types of cancer? Read on to learn more.

1. A positive pregnancy test result

On very rare occasions, a positive pregnancy test can be a sign of cancer. That’s because the test detects the presence of a hormone called hCG, which means a woman is pregnant.

However, hCG is also present in people who have been diagnosed with cancer, so in very rare occasions, a positive pregnancy test can signify cancer.

2. Swollen feet

During pregnancy, the feet start swelling as a result of the body producing more blood and fluid to help nourish the baby.

However, swollen feet can also be a sign of preeclampsia, which can cause renal or liver failure as well as cardiovascular issues. Women who have preeclampsia are also 30% more likely to develop cancer, so it’s important for pregnant moms to always visit their doctor for a checkup so that their health can be monitored.

3. Spotting

Spotting is something that can happen anytime during a pregnancy and happens usually at the time of conception and during the last trimester. However, spotting is also a sign of cervical cancer, and it frequently gets mistaken for ‘normal’ bleeding.

4. Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is another common symptom during pregnancy, and it happens since the baby is growing inside a pregnant woman’s body.

In some cases, abdominal pain can be a sign of swelling or fluid build-up that’s caused by stomach cancer. If during your pregnancy you experience sharp and intense pains in your abdomen, then you need to consult your doctor to identify what’s causing the pain.

5. Morning sickness

Another common symptom of pregnancy, morning sickness happens to a lot of pregnant women, and can sometimes happen even during the middle of pregnancy.

However, morning sickness is also a symptom of stomach and colon cancer, so morning sickness doesn’t always mean that you’re pregnant.

6. Weight gain

Weight gain during pregnancy is pretty normal, and it happens because the fetus is slowly growing inside your body.

However, weight gain can sometimes also be a sign of ovarian cancer, as ovarian tumors can grow to a large size inside the woman’s abdomen, causing the woman to gain weight.

7. Baby brain

Baby brain, or forgetfulness during pregnancy happens to a lot of mothers, and it usually goes away after the pregnancy.

However, forgetfulness can also be a sign of brain cancer, as the it alters the levels of chemicals in your brain which can cause you to become more forgetful.

Source: babygaga.com, ovarian-cancer-survivors.org

READ: 8 Unnoticed signs of ovarian cancer

Partner Stories
What’s your cough treatment for that #PigilHiningaMoment?
What’s your cough treatment for that #PigilHiningaMoment?
Alagang Unilab: Healthier Ph Opens Dialogue on Steam Inhalation as a Health Treatment
Alagang Unilab: Healthier Ph Opens Dialogue on Steam Inhalation as a Health Treatment
Gut Health: How to keep your child’s digestive tract healthy with Erceflora Kiddie
Gut Health: How to keep your child’s digestive tract healthy with Erceflora Kiddie
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jan Alwyn Batara

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Diseases & Injuries
  • /
  • Cancer signs that can easily be mistaken for pregnancy symptoms
Share:
  • Diabetes is rising fast in the Philippines but these stories spark hope.

    Diabetes is rising fast in the Philippines but these stories spark hope.

  • Vitamin D Deficiency in the Philippines: Urban Children Face Higher Risk, Data Shows

    Vitamin D Deficiency in the Philippines: Urban Children Face Higher Risk, Data Shows

  • Check for signs of risk! Pseudo-autism. Fix it quickly before it becomes a threat to your child's development.

    Check for signs of risk! Pseudo-autism. Fix it quickly before it becomes a threat to your child's development.

  • Diabetes is rising fast in the Philippines but these stories spark hope.

    Diabetes is rising fast in the Philippines but these stories spark hope.

  • Vitamin D Deficiency in the Philippines: Urban Children Face Higher Risk, Data Shows

    Vitamin D Deficiency in the Philippines: Urban Children Face Higher Risk, Data Shows

  • Check for signs of risk! Pseudo-autism. Fix it quickly before it becomes a threat to your child's development.

    Check for signs of risk! Pseudo-autism. Fix it quickly before it becomes a threat to your child's development.

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Money Tips
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Lifestyle Section
  • FAMILY & HOME
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
© Copyright theAsianparent 2026. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it