At the present time, cancer is the leading
cause of death in nearly all countries around the world. In fact, it is to blame for over 30 percent
of all deaths in Canada alone, which is much more compared to any other
disease. As estimated by the Canadian
and American Cancer Societies, ovarian cancer had 2800 new cases and 1750
deaths in Canada, and 22,280 new cases and 14,240 deaths in the United States
in 2016 alone.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer develops when the cells of the
ovaries form tumors that become malignant.
It is often referred to as “the silent killer” as it shows little or no
symptoms, which are quite difficult to detect with screening. While it is most common in post-menopausal
women, it has recently started affecting younger women in their 30s and 40s.
According to a recent research, early cancer detection notably increases the
chances of survival, so regular check-ins are must.
Unfortunately, currently there isn’t any
reliable test. CA125 blood tests may
give false negatives while smear tests are not capable of picking up malignant
cells. There is yet another problem,
though. Many of the symptoms are often
mistaken for those associated with other diseases, such as irritable bowel
syndrome. Consequently, the tumor gets diagnosed at stage 3, when it becomes
too late.
4 Symptoms that may be signs of Ovarian
Cancer
01. Persistent Bloating
Consistent and frequent bloating, that goes
on for more than three weeks, often indicates a cancerous tumor growth.
02. Lower Abdominal and Pelvic Pain
Although menstrual cramps and pain during
menstruation are normal, persistent pain that lasts for more than three weeks
can be a sign of ovarian cancer.
Pre-menopausal women should be especially careful, as these symptoms are
often easily passed off for period pain.
03. Difficulty eating/feeling full quickly
A decrease in appetite that comes out of the
blue and goes on for more than three weeks can be a sign of various ailments,
among which stomach, intestine, and bowel issues are the most common. However, it can be a sign of cancer as well,
so make sure you consult your doctor.
04. Increased need to urinate
In case you find yourself visiting the toilet
much more often than earlier, without any changes regarding the liquid intake,
it is very likely that you have early stages of ovarian cancer. Another sign that indicates ovarian cancer is
an urgent need to pee and inability to hold it.
Most of these symptoms can be easily mistaken
for problems and diseases with the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if you experience any of them and
you haven’t earlier, it is crucial to monitor their persistence and frequency. If they don’t subside in a few weeks, consult
your doctor and get checked as soon as possible.
Remember that monitoring our health and
learning to recognize the symptoms is the key to early detection and an
increased chance of survival.
