Trevor Price

Critical Hints Identified with Ovarian Cancer

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.

If a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer during the early stages of the disease, her survival rates are excellent (75%) - that means it's critical to keep an eye on potential 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.

To learn more about symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer that you should watch out for, read on. 

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 Dysfunction

Urinary incontinence and a frequent or urgent need to urinate are both common symptoms of ovarian cancer. Patients often compare these symptoms and warning signs to a painless urinary tract infection (UTI). That is, the increased need to urinate but without the burning or pain during urination often associated with a UTI.

Fatigue and Pain

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.

However, unlike women without ovarian cancer, patients with this disease typically experience these symptoms on most days, not just several days a month.

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.

Article Tags: Ovarian Cancer, Warning Signs, Ovarian Cancer,

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