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 when 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.

Because so many of the symptoms and indicators of the disease are often associated with other ailments, they can go unnoticed, reducing the chances for early diagnosis until after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

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

Bloating

Constant and persistent bloating is often a clear indicator of ovarian cancer, especially if it’s a significant change in a patient’s bloating habits. So, if you’ve noticed an increase in how much and how often you’re bloating, talk to you doctor.

Abdominal or Pelvic Pain

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

Poor Appetite and Weight Loss

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

Unfortunately, the fatigue and back pain experienced by many patients with ovarian cancer is similar to pre-menstrual symptoms experienced by many women without the disease. The systems are generalized and not specific enough, but they can be helpful when diagnosing the problem.

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

Genealogy

A family history of ovarian cancer can be one of your strongest warning signs. If one of your immediate family members (mother, sister) or two of your extended family members (grandmother, cousin, aunt) have been diagnosed with the disease, it’s important to let your doctor know so that you can undergo frequent screening.

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.