The symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer are often difficult to notice. People may think the signs are due to something else. In the UK, approximately 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. If ovarian cancer is diagnosed early, treatment may be more effective. The people most at risk of developing this cancer are those over 30 and postmenopausal women.
Women need to understand that a cervical smear test alone is not enough to determine if you have ovarian cancer. This test only detects abnormal cells that may be a sign or symptom of cervical cancer.
Some of the signs that women should look for are, for example, a sudden need to stop eating or urinate frequently. These are two signs that accompany this form of cancer, but of course they are also symptoms of other problems. Therefore, you should also look for other symptoms, such as constant fatigue or pain in the neck or back. Sudden weight loss is also another possible sign to look out for.
Other symptoms can include feeling bloated even if you haven’t eaten anything, along with diarrhea and constipation. These are all things to keep in mind if you suspect you may have this form of cancer. However, it’s important to note that even if you experience all of these symptoms, the only way to really know is to have a full diagnosis by your doctor.
As stated above, these symptoms can often be mistaken for something else. Many women may already feel abdominal pain before their period comes along with a feeling of fullness or gas.
The symptoms and signs can be similar to the everyday problems that most people experience, this accidental delay can cause the cancer to spread. This makes treatment much more intense, exhausting, and the success rate can be significantly lower than if the cancer were diagnosed at an earlier stage.
This cancer can be hereditary, if any of your relatives has suffered from breast or ovarian cancer, you should inform your doctor and always be aware of the symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer. The symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer are similar to what you would get with a menstrual cycle, you may feel that it is not important enough to warrant a visit to the doctor, this can be detrimental to your health. Early detection of ovarian cancer can save lives! If you or someone you know has any of these problems, get them checked out.