OVARYACT! Know The Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
When ovarian cancer is diagnosed early, 5-year survival rate is 93%. However, 75% of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in late stages when the 5-year survival rate is only 31%.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Even in its early stages, ovarian cancer has symptoms. These symptoms vary from woman to woman and many times are mistaken for other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Symptoms are subtle and persistent, and usually increase over time.
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies.
Other symptoms commonly reported include: fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain during intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities. However, these other symptoms are not as useful in identifying ovarian cancer because they are also found in equal frequency in women in the general population who do not have ovarian cancer.
The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several studies show that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms.
If You Experience Symptoms
Women should contact their physician if any symptoms occur almost daily for more than a few weeks. Experts suggest a pelvic/rectal exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and a CA-125 blood test. If ovarian cancer is suspected, consult a gynecologic oncologist immediately.
Learn more at: www.mnovarian.org
Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer Can Save Lives.
Ovarian cancer is very treatable when detected early, but the vast majority of cases are not detected until the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries.
There are two main barriers to early diagnosis – the lack of an ovarian cancer screening test and a lack of ovarian cancer awareness.
- Lack of Screening Test – It is important to note that the Pap test does not screen for ovarian cancer; it screens for cervical cancer and some infections. Currently, there is not a reliable test that can be used on all women to screen for the disease.
- Lack of Awareness – Many women are uninformed about ovarian cancer and many medical professionals lack awareness of the disease. Right now, the best chance for early detection is to raise awareness about ovarian cancer among women and the health care community.
This is why women must become extremely diligent about understanding symptoms, recognizing them in their own bodies and talking with their doctors.
Statistics
- Ovarian cancer occurs in one out of 71 women, at any age. Click here to learn more about assessing risk
- There is currently no consistently reliable test available to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages, unlike the Pap smear which screens for cervical cancer and the mammogram for breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of the gynecologic cancers.
- Ovarian cancer is very treatable when it is detected early, but the vast majority of cases are not diagnosed until the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries.
- Learn more at www.mnovarian.org
