Ovarian cancer is usually challenging to detect through the early stages of the disease as the ovaries are situated deep in the abdomen. These vague symptoms make it difficult to feel growths and diagnose it early before it spreads to the pelvis and abdomen. Knowing what to look for and detecting ovarian cancer in the early stages, make it more likely to treat the disease successfully.
What Are Some of The Common Signs of Ovarian Cancer?
There are four significant signs of ovarian cancer that often show up right from the early stages of the disease. These include
Abdominal pain or pain in the pelvic area.
Bloating with heartburn, gas, and even constipation.
Feeling full too soon or a lack of appetite
Urinating more frequently and with more urgency than usual.
Other symptoms that might show up as well and more often include
Feeling fatigued more quickly and often than usual.
Experiencing unexplained pain during sex or heavier bleeding during the menstrual period that is not related to age. After menopause, watch for an unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding.
Lower back pain when tumors spreading in the pelvic area causes fluid accumulation.
Constipation, indigestion, or persistent heartburn.
Discomfort and swelling in the abdomen.
Unexplained fluctuation in weight. This can be both sudden weight loss or gain.
Difficulty breathing due to tumors that may be pressing against the lungs in the later stages.
What is important to remember is these things can be signs of ovarian cancer, but it’s also likely some other cause.
The Right Time to Call a Doctor
Most women diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not notice it until it is advanced. Only about 15% of cases are diagnosed in the early stages. Symptoms of ovarian cancer could be vague, which makes it difficult to know when one might need to seek help.
It is probably best to get in touch with a doctor if
The above signs have been new and persistent for more than a few months.
Seem to occur more frequently throughout the month
Don’t improve even with changes to one’s diet, more exercise/rest, and simple medication.
There’s a family history of ovarian or breast cancer
