The American Cancer Society and Mayo Clinic have called ovarian cancer the silent killer for years because of its ability to go undetected by doctors. Since the ovaries' location is deep within the female body, symptoms may be associated with another disease before the real cause is determined. For ovarian cancer it is the severity and persistence in which the symptoms present themselves. Fortunately, cancer screenings have vastly improved over the decades, and many doctors detect certain ovarian cancer symptoms earlier. Unfortunately, The Mayo Clinic still says only 20 percent of ovarian cases are diagnosed before tumors are present.
If you have any of these symptoms that are severe and have been frequent over the last few months, make an appointment with your doctor.
Abdominal Pain or Swelling
Abdominal discomfort affects women for many reasons. Gas and bloating comes from eating certain types of foods. Discomfort comes with menstruation. These symptoms usually disappear after a few hours or days. The pain and swelling associated with ovarian cancer consistently increases in frequency and severity. If the clothing you wear places too much pressure around your pelvic region, and there is a lot of pain at all time during the day, make an appointment with your doctor to check for ovarian cancer.
Pelvic and Menstruation Changes
Changes in the menstruation cycle or to the pelvic region should be watched closely and documented, if possible. Depending on your age and monthly cycle, changes could mean peri-menopause or menopause. However, severe pain or drastic changes in your cycle, such as bleeding profusely or more often, could be cause for concern. Changes lasting more than two months should be reason for a doctor's visit. If you are bleeding heavily for three to five days, make the appointment immediately. While it may not be directly related to ovarian cancer, there may be an underlying reason for this bleeding.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination is normally associated with diabetes. It is also one of the symptoms for ovarian cancer. What to look for is how often you are going, the pain associated with elimination and the urgency in which you need to get to the bathroom. Going to the bathroom should be a normal event throughout your day. When the frequency increases, or if pain accompanies urination, make an appointment to see your doctor.
