Ovarian cancer may affect one or both ovaries and the diagnosis of this condition can be devastating. Because many of the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be attributed to other causes, many women are not diagnosed with the disease until the cancer is advanced and has spread beyond the ovaries, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Some of these symptoms involve the digestive system; in women with ovarian cancer, these symptoms tend to be constant and to get worse over time.
Indigestion
Many women who have ovarian cancer experience general abdominal discomfort, according to American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The woman may have unexplained and persistent indigestion or gas. Because these are very nonspecific complaints, she may not think anything is amiss. Symptoms that last for more than a few weeks should be evaluated by a physician, according to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
Changes in Bowel Habits
Women with ovarian cancer may also experience a change in bowel habits, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. These changes could be either diarrhea or constipation. The woman usually cannot find a specific reason for constipation or diarrhea; these issues are also constant. A woman with these persistent symptoms should also be evaluated promptly.
Loss of Appetite
Women with ovarian cancer may also complain of a loss of appetite or quickly feeling full after eating, according to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. This may be due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, which is caused by the cancer cells, according to the Cedars-Sinai website. The organs in the abdomen may get compressed, which does not leave much space for the stomach to expand. Typically, these women also notice a feeling of fullness and an increase in the size of the abdomen. These changes also should be evaluated by a physician.
