If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Cancer is the physical scourge of our era. Often a person who initially spots one or more early indications will scurry to a physician seeking a comforting diagnosis. If the news doesn’t come back as hoped, a discussion of treatments is initiated. Cancers that are particular to women (e.g. breast cancer, ovarian cancer) have drawn a lot of attention and research funds during the past couple of decades.

This is good because ovarian cancer can have such a high mortality rate, it’s important that women be vigilant to watch out for possible ovarian cancer warning signs.

A woman’s chances of survival are strong if the ovarian cancer is caught early, but approximately 75% of women are diagnosed after it has already spread beyond the ovaries, and this is when survival rates drop to only around 20 or 30 percent.

For an overview of some of the basic signs and symptoms associated with this disease, keep reading.

Abdominal Bloating

Pronounced bloating can be an indicator of ovarian cancer, particularly if the bloating is more than average, uncomfortable or painful. If you’re experiencing abnormal bloating, consult with your doctor about the possibility of ovarian cancer.

Pelvic and Stomach Discomfort

Chronic pelvis and stomach pain along with constipation and digestion problems are more common in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Loss of Appetite and Decreased Weight

Like many cancer patients, one of the clearest ovarian cancer warning signs is a significantly decreased appetite, trouble eating and, subsequently, significant weight loss. Patients who often feel full after eating just a little bit of food or who have recently developed trouble eating should consult a doctor.

Urinary Problems

Many women with ovarian cancer complain of a constant need to urinate, urinary incontinence, an urgency to urinate or an increased frequency in their urination. The symptoms are comparable to a urinary tract infection but typically without the addition of painful urination.

Back Pain and General Fatigue

Because general fatigue and a dull, back pain are common symptoms for many women - often experienced a few days every month - it’s hard for patients and doctors to associate them with possible ovarian cancer.

One clear indicator is if the symptoms are persistent and almost daily rather than restricted to a specific period. However, other symptoms should be present before the patient is screened for cancer.

Genealogy

If you know that your family has a history of ovarian cancer, it’s important to tell your doctor and be screened or evaluated on an ongoing basis. Essentially, if one immediate family member or two members of your extended family have been diagnosed with the disease, then it could be a clear warning sign and an indicator that you need to watch out for possible symptoms.

The good news is that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce many of these warning signs, and early detection often results in a stronger prognosis. So, watch your body, be aware of changes and don’t be afraid to consult with your physician.