The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are often hard to notice. People may think that the signs are due to something else. In the UK, approximately 7000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer per year. If ovarian cancer is diagnosed early, treatment may be more effective, people at the highest risk of developing this cancer are those over 30 years of age and postmenopausal women.
Women need to understand that just a cervical smear test is not enough to determine if you have ovarian cancer. That test only detects abnormal cells that can be a sign or symptom of cervical cancer.
Some of the signs women should look for are, for example, the sudden urge to stop eating or urinate frequently. These are two signs that accompany this form of cancer, but of course they are also symptoms of other problems. Therefore, you should also look for other symptoms such as constant fatigue or pain in the neck or back area. Sudden weight loss is also another possible sign to watch out for.
Other symptoms can include feeling bloated even if you haven’t eaten anything, along with diarrhea and constipation. These are all things to keep in mind if you suspect that you may have this form of cancer. However, it is important to note that even if you experience all of these symptoms, the only way to really know is to receive a full diagnosis from your doctor.
As stated above, these symptoms can often be mistaken for something else. Many women may already experience abdominal pain before their period comes along with a feeling of fullness or gas.
The symptoms and signs can be similar to the everyday problems that most people will suffer from; This accidental delay can cause the cancer to spread. This makes the treatment much more intense, exhausting, and the success rate can be significantly lower than if the cancer was diagnosed at an earlier stage.
This cancer can be hereditary, if any member of your family has suffered from breast or ovarian cancer you should inform your doctor and always be aware of the symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer. The symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer are similar to what you would have with a menstrual cycle. You may feel that it is not important enough to warrant a visit to the doctor, this can be detrimental to your health. Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer Can Save Lives! If you or someone you know has any of these problems, get it checked out.