Why should ovarian cancer be detected early if possible?
At UT Health East Texas HOPE Cancer Center, we have been helping the people of East Texas fight cancer for more than 30 years. Everyone wants to be proactive and vigilant in screening for ovarian cancer. We know how a cancer diagnosis can affect a person’s life.
Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect in the early stages, because the ovaries are small and located deep in the abdominal cavity, so it is difficult for the doctor to feel any growth that may be on them. Also, early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is difficult because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Only 20% of all ovarian cancer cases are detected in the early stages. Ovarian cancer is often not detected until it has spread to the pelvis or abdomen. Ovarian cancer may be more difficult to treat at this late stage, but it is not impossible. Early-stage ovarian cancer, where the disease is limited to the ovaries, is more likely to be successfully treated.
You may be wondering, “What are the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer?” may wonder. Don’t worry, there are many warning signs of ovarian cancer. Therefore, we will tell you everything you need to know about identifying the early signs and symptoms of this rare and dangerous disease.
What are the chances of getting ovarian cancer?
It is estimated that more than 22,000 American women have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year alone. Surgery and chemotherapy are often used to treat ovarian cancer.
According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), only about 19 percent of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at an early stage. According to the American Cancer Society, a woman has a 1 in 75 chance of developing ovarian cancer in her lifetime and a 1 in 100 chance of dying from ovarian cancer.
What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?
In the early stages of ovarian cancer, there are no symptoms. Advanced stages of ovarian cancer have few and non-specific symptoms. It should be noted that these symptoms are often mistaken for common benign disorders.
These symptoms of ovarian cancer can appear at any stage of the disease. It includes:
Pelvic and abdominal pain and cramps
Tumors growing in the pelvic cavity are very common to cause pain in the lower abdomen. Because this discomfort is similar to menstruation, many women consider abdominal pain harmless.
Feeling full quickly after eating or loss of appetite
Ascites, the same fluid build-up that makes some ovarian cancer patients feel bloated, can also cause a decreased appetite or feeling full more quickly.
Indigestion or indigestion
Nausea
You feel the need to urinate more often or urgently than usual
Sometimes you may have the urge to pee, but when you try, a small drop (or nothing at all) comes out. When ovarian cancer cells adhere to the outside of the bladder wall or ascites in the pelvis compresses the bladder, the urge to urinate increases, causing women to need to urinate more often.
Unexplained fatigue
Low Back and Pelvic Pain and Pressure Women with ovarian cancer experience back pain when fluid builds up in the pelvic cavity or when the tumor spreads to the abdomen and pelvis, which directly irritates the back tissue.
Bloating and/or constipation
Before ovarian cancer is diagnosed, you may experience frequent heartburn and gas for several months. It is common among ovarian cancer patients and is characterized by general abdominal discomfort, including bloating and flatulence.
An increase in the abdominal girdle or the development of abdominal swelling
Pain during sex
Unexplained pain during intercourse can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.
Menstrual changes Changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle, such as heavier than normal bleeding or irregular bleeding, can be a sign of ovarian cancer. In addition to age, there are other factors that increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer as she menstruates. Some of these include menopause after age 50, menarche before age 12, never having children, and having children for the first time after age 30.
Lose weight
Sudden weight loss when you haven’t changed your diet or exercise habits can be a sign of ovarian cancer. However, keep in mind that these symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions. Often they respond to basic treatment or disappear on their own.
Difficulty breathing
Late-stage ovarian cancer can cause respiratory problems. As the tumor grows, it begins to press on the lungs, inhibiting the patient’s ability to breathe and breathe.
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