Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer, (a disease in which the ovaries become inflicted with harmful tumors), claims the lives of thousands of women all over the world, especially in the United States. And yet, many in the medical community feel that the mortality rate associated with ovarian cancer can be much lower if doctors and women themselves were more on the lookout for ‘early’ symptoms of ovarian cancer. The keyword in question is early, since any presence of symptoms could still indicate more advanced ovarian cancer. Yet, there are situations in which spotting the beginning symptoms of ovarian cancer meant the difference between a woman getting treated and a woman dying.
So, what are the symptoms of ovarian cancer that a woman should be looking for? The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer will occur in the abdominal region, (despite the area not being associated with the ovaries). An example of a symptom that is almost considered ‘signature’ by some experts is abdominal swelling. There can also be problems with a woman’s digestion, as she might experience nausea, gas or ingestion. Sometimes there can also be pain in the abdominal region, another symptom of ovarian cancer.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer that tend to make a little bit more sense include unexplained vaginal bleeding and painful intercourse. These symptoms are associated with a woman’s sexual and reproductive health, so if she has these problems a lot, she may definitely be concerned enough to at least get a general exam from her gynecologist. There’s just one problem. These issues do not necessarily have to be symptoms of ovarian cancer. They may not even be indicative of a health problem at all. A gynecologist could easily misdiagnose these symptoms as being a result of another condition. For this reason a woman, (particularly women at greater risk for ovarian cancer), she discuss her concerns at the possibility that such problems could be symptoms of ovarian cancer.
If a woman ignores the symptoms of ovarian cancer, thinking that they aren’t major enough to warrant a visit to her physician, she is putting her health at risk. Granted, the survival rate of ovarian cancer is low even if a woman caught on to the symptoms, but at least it’s higher than what occurs if a woman fails to go to the doctor at all. Also, it should be noted that even though the symptoms of ovarian cancer don’t seem to be that extreme, they still don’t follow the normal flow of a healthy body. This is because they don’t go away, lasting for weeks at a time. In fact, it is this chronic element that should compel more women to get themselves checked.
In conclusion, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are not as serious as symptoms associated with other illness, however they should not be ignored. Ovarian cancer is already lethal enough… at least give yourself some chance to survive by going to the doctor early, at least if the symptoms are persistent. There is a risk of ovarian cancer misdiagnosis, (which women should be aware of), but it is still better to be on the safe side. At the worst case, a woman can always get a second opinion.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are usually pretty easy to spot. Symptoms include problems with digestion, abdominal pains and swelling, problems with gas and regularly experiences nausea. These are the signs that you will first see, as the cancer develops more symptoms will be seen.
Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates
It’s a shame but only 35 percent of women who get ovarian cancer will survive the terrible cancer. Researchers however are searching for a new drug which will increase the chance of ovarian cancer suffers surviving, initial research has been positive however it will be some time before they find a drug that cures cancer completely.