What Are The Early Warning Signs Of Ovarian Cancer?

With that said, if you are aware of some of the symptoms that are oftentimes ignored or misdiagnosed, you may be able to catch ovarian cancer at an early stage. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the early warning signs of ovarian cancer.

Early Symptoms Of Ovarian Cancer

Some people mistakenly believe that ovarian cancer is called the silent killer because the cancer doesn’t produce any symptoms until it has progressed to a much more difficult stage to treat. That’s not exactly true. Ovarian cancer does tend to have early warning signs, but oftentimes they are written off as part of the natural aging process or as a side effect of a less serious condition.

We don’t want you to fear the worst if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, because oftentimes they are actually caused by a less serious condition. However, it pays to have them examined and formulate an accurate diagnosis so that you can effectively treat the problem, whether it is irritable bowel syndrome or the early stages of ovarian cancer. With that said, here’s a look at some of the symptoms that may present at a more treatable stage:

• Abnormal bloating

• Digestive issues

• Changes in appetite

• Nausea

• Pelvic pressure or discomfort

• Low back pain

• Changes in bowel habits

• Difficulty emptying your bladder

• Noticeable changes to menstruation patterns

• Abdominal pain during sexual intercourse

It’s easy to see why some of the symptoms on this list can be written off as a dietary issue or something that simply comes with age, but you owe it to yourself to get these symptoms checked out. The sad reality is that only 46 percent of women who develop ovarian cancer live past five years, but the life expectancy greatly increases if you can catch the issue at an early stage and begin treatment right away.

Besides being mindful about your symptoms, one of the simplest ways to spot the early warning signs of ovarian cancer is by seeing your women’s care provider on a regular basis. Yearly physicals are a great place to start, but don’t hesitate to set up another appointment if you’ve noticed any changes or have begun experiencing uncomfortable symptoms. Let us be another line of defense in the fight against ovarian cancer.

For more information about ovarian cancer detection or treatment, or to connect with our women’s care team about a different issue, reach out to the team at MetroPartners OBGYN today at (651) 770-3320.