Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Many women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer started out with little to no signs and symptoms that something was wrong. This makes it very difficult to treat, especially when many times, symptoms take months to surface – if they ever do.

There are a few things that you can be on the lookout for if you suspect that you may have ovarian cancer, even if it is based solely on women’s intuition. Abdominal pain is usually associated with the cancer of the ovaries. This could also include an abdominal mass, bloating and general pelvic pain. Beyond there, there are cases in which the woman can have abnormal vaginal bleeding – either heavier than usual or not associated with a menstrual cycle. Fatigue, constipation and frequent urination have also been symptoms reported.

Increased abdominal girth has also been a major sign of ovarian cancer; however it could also be related to something other than cancer.

There are many different ways to present the symptoms and signs to a doctor. If any of the symptoms listed above are things that you are presently suffering from, make an appointment and explain the concerns to a doctor. They will provide a pelvic exam and do a blood test to confirm if the cancer cells are present.

Waiting is not an option with cancer because the longer that it goes untreated, the more severe it can be. This is a health risk that no woman should be willing to take. Gynecologic cancers can be deadly, however if they are caught in sufficient time, there are plenty of measures that doctors can take to ensure that you live a long and healthy life.

The causes of ovarian cancer are unknown in many cases. Family members who have had ovarian cancer automatically put you at risk, especially if they are in your immediate lineage (first or second degree). Hereditary forms of the cancer are caused by mutations of a gene. There are also increased risks among infertile women, those who have never been pregnant, as well as women with endometriosis.

If none of these are the case with you, the chances for ovarian cancer are reduced, though not eliminated. Paying close attention to the functions of your body, swelling, pressure and overall pain is always important.

If for any reason there is reason to doubt whether you are suffering from symptoms related to ovarian cancer, then see your doctor immediately. The longer you wait, the more problematic the cancer could become if that is what you in fact have.

When the cancer spreads beyond the ovaries is when it becomes a potentially terminal case. More than 60% of women who have been diagnosed did not catch it early enough and have thus been diagnosed with stage III or IV cancer. Know what the symptoms are so that you can do something about it before it’s too late.

There’s no such thing as being too cautious when it comes to cancer, especially if you are high risk for it to begin with.