Ovarian cancer, often known as the silent killer, occurs when a cancerous tumor develops in a female’s ovary. It is estimated that 2000 women each year are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Because the warning signs of ovarian cancer are very subtle, it often goes undetected until the disease has spread throughout the pelvis and abdomen.
The warning signs of ovarian cancer are not definite to the condition. The signs often express the same symptoms of a person with common less-life threatening conditions, such as bladder or digestive problems.
Through early detection of the subtle symptoms, you will save your life and possibly the life of someone else. Symptoms and warning signs of ovarian cancer may include:
Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
Pelvic discomfort and/or pain
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
Persistent indigestion, gas, or nausea
Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
Increased in size of abdomen and/or clothes fitting tighter around your midsection
A persistent lack of energy
Lower back pain
In the cases where ovarian cancer is present, these warning signs will be persistent and become worse over time.
If you notice any of the above symptoms that worry you, visit your doctor for further assessment.
Because the symptoms are so subtle, doctors have missed the early warning signs in diagnosis so seeking additional opinions may be necessary.
Sources:
“Ovarian Cancer”, MayoClinic
“Ovarian Cancer Heath Center”, WebMD
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