Ovarian cancer is estimated to affect over 22,000 American women this year alone, but its early symptoms are easy to miss, making it the deadliest form of female reproductive cancer.
One reason ovarian cancer isn’t typically detected until it has reached stage 3 or 4 has to do with the amount of space in the abdomen and pelvis. There’s enough room for organs to move as the cancer grows, masking symptoms as a result. It isn’t until there’s no more space left for a mass or tumor to hide that patients start to notice ovarian cancer symptoms. Even then, the signs can be non-descript. After all, who doesn’t feel bloated every now and then?
Here are some of the most common signs for ovarian cancer:
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- Bleeding: Irregular bleeding is most common among women with ovarian stromal tumors, which only account for 1% of all ovarian cancers. Stromal tumors often produce estrogen, which can cause period-like bleeding, even after menopause, according to the ACS.
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- Bloating: caused by Ascites, which is fluid buildup.
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- Increased Satiety or Loss of Appetite: The same fluid buildup that causes some ovarian cancer patients to feel bloated, may also result in a loss of appetite.
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- Cramps: It’s not uncommon for tumors growing in the pelvis to cause pain in the lower abdomen. And since the discomfort can feel similar to period cramps, many women assume the tummy troubles are benign. As Alicia Dellario, 54, tells us, “It’s very easy to ignore the symptoms of ovarian cancer.”
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- Back Pain: Women with ovarian cancer can experience back pain when fluid accumulates in the pelvis or when the tumor spreads in the abdomen or pelvis, directly irritating tissue in the lower back, says Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at New York University’s Langone Medical Center.
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- Difficulty Breathing: Late-stage ovarian cancer can bring on breathing troubles. As tumors grow large, they may begin to press against the lungs and obstruct a patient’s ability to inhale and exhale.
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- Indigestion that would last long: This is common among ovarian cancer patients who tend to experience general discomfort in the abdomen, including bloating and constipation.
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- The urge to go: An increased urge to urinatsie “occurs when ovarian cancer cells have studded the outside of the bladder wall or when ascites in the pelvis compresses the bladder, causing women to feel like urinating more frequently.
Knowing the warning signs of ovarian cancer can make all the difference – If you have any concerns, call our appointment line to set up an appt. with one of our knowledgeable providers.
