Like most cancers, early detection of ovarian cancer is extremely important. However, only around 20 percent of cases are diagnosed early enough to effectively treat the disease. One of the main reasons ovarian cancer is so difficult to detect is because the symptoms can be very subtle and often times, they’re the same symptoms that might arise from a common cold or other “minor” health issues.
The main difference? The symptoms of ovarian cancer will occur daily and they won’t subside. But if you’re not sure what the exact symptoms are for ovarian cancer, Activebeat.com had a great article reviewing some things to look out for - here are some of them:
Abdominal Pain
Pain in the pelvic area or belly that feels very different from normal indigestion and menstrual problems (i.e., cramps) is indicative of ovarian cancer. Most patients complained of abdominal pain that persisted for longer than 2 weeks, and wasn’t associated with their period, diarrhea, or the stomach flu.
Indigestion
Persistent indigestion, gas, nausea, or other gastro-intestinal issues, like heartburn, are quite common and persistent of ovarian cancer.
Loss of Appetite
Ovarian cancer is known to cause an abrupt loss of appetite that’s normally out of character for the person affected. This is because the cancer impacts metabolism—or the breakdown of food into energy that fuels the body.
Bloating
Frequent bloating or gas pain in your belly or pelvis that doesn’t go away is another symptom of ovarian cancer. For instance, if your abdominals bloat so much that your clothes fit tighter around your waist so suddenly and without diet or activity changes—this may be cause for a doctor’s visit.
Urinary Frequency
Urinary problems, such as being overwhelmed by a sudden urge to urinate as well as peeing more often than usual is a sign of ovarian cancer—this can include bouts of incontinence (complete loss of bladder control before you can get to a bathroom) that will gradually worsen over a few weeks.
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