Symptoms for ovarian cancer are minimal, persistent and usually increase over time. They can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other disorders. By the time ovarian cancer is considered a possible cause, it may have spread beyond the ovaries.
Key Symptoms
- Abdominal bloating or increased abdominal size
- Pelvic or abdominal pain, pressure or burning
- Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Other symptoms may include:
- Backaches
- Digestive problems such as nausea, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, constipation
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
- Persistent fatigue
Early detection is the key. Be proactive. The recommendation from medical experts is that you should see your physician if you have any of these symptoms and they persist for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Prompt attention to symptoms improves the odds of finding the cancer at an early stage.
Experts recommend that women at high risk receive the CA125 blood test every 3 months and receive a transvaginal Ultrasound every 6 months starting at the age of 35. See below for more information on the "Low Risk Ovarian Cancer Study" we are sponsoring in North Texas.
Consideration should be given to a pelvic sonogram as well. If a woman’s mother had ovarian cancer, her own screening should begin at 35 or at 5 to 10 years before the age her mother was when she contracted ovarian cancer, whichever is earliest
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Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer
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A personal history of breast or colorectal cancer. |
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In addition to inherited traits, ovarian cancer has been associated with several genetic mutations that are acquired during a woman’s life. |
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A family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or endometrial cancer. |
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Increasing age increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
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Certain fertility drugs, especially if no pregnancy resulted.
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Early onset of menstrual cycles or a late onset of menopause.
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