What Are The Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer?

What are the warning signs of ovarian cancer? When it comes to ovarian cancer, the good news is that almost all cases of ovarian cancer are treatable when diagnosed early. The bad news is, the early warning signs of the cancer are easily overlooked.

In fact, many women who have ovarian cancer don’t make an appointment until it reaches later stages, making it more difficult to treat. Here, we will tell you what is ovarian cancer, its warning signs, risk factors, and prevention.

 
What Is Ovarian Cancer?

It is when abnormal cells inside the ovary start to grow out of control and form a tumor. If it is not treated, the tumor can spread to other parts of the body. This condition is known as metastatic ovarian cancer.

This cancer often has warning signs. However, the earliest ones are vague as many are associated with other diseases. Since the early symptoms are easy to dismiss, it is estimated that only 20% of cases are detected at an early stage.

 

What Are The Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer may cause several symptoms and signs, particularly once it has spread beyond the ovaries. However, even during its early stage, cancer can cause symptoms and signs such as

• Difficulty eating or decreased appetite
• Fatigue
• Increased urinary urgency
• Persistent pelvic, abdominal, or back pain
• Changes in bowel habits
• Abdominal bloating
• Acid reflux
• Weight loss
• Pain during s3x
• Upset stomach
• Constipation
• Difficulty breathing

Experiencing some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer doesn’t necessarily mean you have it. Why? Because the disease shares many symptoms with benign diseases as well as cancers on other organs, is hard to detect and can’t really be self-diagnosed at home.

If the symptoms change from normal (meaning they are more severe or occur more often than normal) and persistent (more than 12 times in a month), consult a doctor for a follow-up so you know what causes them.

 

Risk Factors

After talking about what are the warning signs of ovarian cancer, let’s move on to the risk factors of ovarian cancer. What exactly causes the cancer is not yet known. That said, there are risk factors that can increase the risk of having ovarian cancer. Below are the risk factors of ovarian cancer:

• Being overweight or obese
• Older age
• Family history of ovarian cancer
• Inherited gene changes
• Endometriosis
• No history of pregnancy
• A personal history of cancer, particularly uterine, breast, or colon cancer
• Postmenopausal hormone replacement
• Age when menstruation started and ended

Prevention

Since the exact cause is not known yet, there is no sure method to prevent ovarian cancer. That being said, there are things that can lower your risk, such as

1. Taking birth control pills
   Taking birth control pills can reduce the risk. However, these pills do have their own risks. So if you want to take them, consult with your doctor so you know whether the benefits of taking the pills outweigh the risks.
   
   
2. Discuss your risk factors with your doctor
   For example, if you have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, you need to tell your doctor about it. Your doctor can then determine what your family history may mean for your risk of cancer.
   
   
3. Breastfeeding
   According to some studies, women who breastfeed for at least a year may have a reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
   
   
4. Having given birth
   Now you know the answer to the question “What are the warning signs of ovarian cancer?” If you experience some of the symptoms and signs, don’t’ panic.

The warning signs we listed above are meant to help you to be vigilant. After all, the earlier ovarian cancer is detected, the more treatable it is. So, being vigilant is very important. If the symptoms you experience change from normal and persistent, see your doctor so you know what the cause is.