Holistic Wisdom Corporation

Ovarian Cancer
Symptoms To Take Seriously

Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D., CEO

Member of American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists
( AASECT )

A "silent killer," ovarian cancer symptoms include increased bloating and abdominal size, pressure to urinate, constipation, and abdominal pain. These easily overlooked symptoms can be the difference in early detection and losing the life and death battle with this terrible disease.

Women need to be aware of this cluster of symptoms so that early detection of ovarian cancer occurs. It doesn't mean that if you have these symptoms that you have ovarian cancer, but the symptoms should be investigated to see what it is, because even if it is not a malignancy, it could be something else such as an ovarian cyst or endometriosis.

Ovarian cancer is highly undetectable through symptoms in the early stages ... any symptoms are usually vague, nonspecific, and doctors tend to blow them off.

Many women see numerous doctors for their symptoms, including gastrointestinal specialists, before ovarian cancer is even suspected. Unfortunately, the symptoms are most noticeable when cancer is advanced and the chances of death are high. When the mass [in the ovary] is significant in size, that's when symptoms are more intense and often too late. This is why there is a strong need for better, ongoing doctor/patient communication. Women know their bodies, and when something changes, they need to make sure the physician is aggressive in evaluating it.

Screening for Ovarian Cancer

Compared with women without cancer, those with ovarian cancer were-

7 times more likely to have increased abdominal size.

4 times more likely to have bloating.

2.5 times more likely to have increased urgency to urinate.

2 times more likely to have pelvic and abdominal pain.

The symptoms clustered together of bloating, increased abdominal size, and urinary symptoms was found in 43% of women with cancer. Only 8% of the other women had this pattern. Also, younger women reported more symptoms, whereas postmenopausal women didn't have any symptoms, except for urinary symptoms.

If anything is different from the normal, you need to be seeing a doctor. If you're not satisfied with the response you get, if your symptoms don't resolve, if you're told it's in your head, insist that your doctor find out what it is or get another doctor. It could mean your life!