Ovarian Cancer has Symptoms
Perhaps the most disparaging fact in the fight against ovarian cancer is that there is no reliable screening test or widely-used early detection test for this.
Knowing the symptoms and advocating for proper testing is the most powerful weapon in the fight against ovarian cancer.
The symptoms are often subtle, advance slowly and mimic those of many common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal disease, urinary tract infections and menopause or other gynecologic issues.
Be aware of these symptoms and report them to your medical provider before the disease affects other organs and becomes acute.
Early detection leads to better survival rates.
Primary Symptoms:
- Bloating or swollen abdomen or midsection
- Pain or pressure in the abdomen or pelvis
- Decreased appetite or feeling full quickly
- Urgency or frequency of urination
- Constipation or diarrhea; changes in bowel movements
Secondary Symptoms:
- Unusual fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Menstrual irregularities or bleeding after menopause
When the symptoms occur in combination with each other and do not resolve within two weeks,please seek immediate medical attention and request testing.
See also:
Risk Factors and Genetic Predispositions.
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