The Silent Killer - Warning Signs
“Women tend to ignore early signs of ovarian cancer or think their symptoms are simply related to aging, weight gain or other less serious problems,” says Amina Ahmed, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at RUSH. “That’s what makes ovarian cancer so difficult to detect early, when it is most curable.”
When I read the quote above, it reminded me of the conversation with my friend Lori about the decision to have a hysterectomy. In our minds, the feelings of poor health we were experiencing could easily be blamed on age and being overweight, but it turned out that the majority of our symptoms were being caused by a uterus full of fibroids. Ovarian cancer does show warning signs, but most of us wouldn’t consider them to be a sign of something that could prematurely end our life.
THE LIST OF WARNING SIGNS:
Bloating
Constipation
Prolonged pain in abdomen/pelvis/lower back OR pain during sex
Change in bladder function
Difficulty eating
Menstrual Changes
Fatigue
Bloating
We all feel bloated from time to time, but apparently bloating is a very common sign of ovarian cancer. If you feel bloated for more than a day or two, start keeping track. If you maintain this bloated feeling for more than a couple weeks, that should be investigated.
Ovarian cancer can cause fluids or mucus to build up in your abdomen or pelvis. If you detect visible swelling in your abdomen, please see your doctor. I’ve seen two people in my life die from ovarian cancer, and both of them were visibly bloated.
Constipation
As with bloating, constipation is something we all will face at some point in our lives, but it’s important to note when you are constipated for an extended period of time, and it isn’t taken care of by over-the-counter medications or other treatments. If you do go to a doctor to get relief from constipation and are at risk of ovarian cancer, ask them about how to get tested.
“It is important to pay attention to any changes in your bowel habits. Some gastrointestinal issues may occur as a result of the growing tumor placing pressure on nearby organs such as the bowel.”
Prolonged pain in abdomen, pelvis, lower back, OR pain during sex
In this case, prolonged pain means one to three weeks. If your pain is consistent, and can’t be linked to other conditions such as stress or gastro-intestinal problems, it’s important to consult your doctor, and again, express your concerns about ovarian cancer.
“Cancerous masses can put persistent pressure on organs, nerves, and blood vessels in the pelvic area and lower abdomen. This could result in intense pelvic, abdominal, or lower back pain. When the tumor pushes into your vagina, you may experience pain while having sexual intercourse.”
Change in bladder function
While many of the bladder symptoms overlap with urinary tract infections, RUSH states the following:
“Specific urinary symptoms associated with ovarian cancer include the following:
Feeling pressure or pain in the bladder
Frequent urination
Sudden, urgent need to urinate
‘If these urinary symptoms are new to you and last more than several days, that’s a problem,” says Ahmed. “Talk to your OB/GYN or primary care physician and let them know you are concerned about both bladder problems and issues with your reproductive system.’”
Difficulty eating
The friend that I lost in April of 2024 had expressed having this issue of a lack of appetite, or feeling full quickly. This is a common symptom that ties in with the buildup of fluids in the abdomen if cancer is present, and one that should prompt you to contact your doctor.
Menstrual Changes
It’s less common, but take note of heavier or irregular bleeding and postmenopausal bleeding.
“Other early signs of ovarian cancer that you should know are difficulty breathing and unexplained fatigue.”
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
As you can see, the early warning signs for ovarian cancer can easily be mistaken for common ailments, or symptoms of other conditions, but it’s important to consult with your doctor if:
“Symptoms last for more than two weeks
The symptoms become more severe
The symptoms are not caused by another medical condition
Home remedies and over-the-counter medications do not relieve the symptoms”
Additionally, when weighing your chances of having ovarian cancer, the City of Hope website shares this list of factors that can elevate your risk for ovarian cancer:
Age: Ovarian cancer risk increases with age, and ovarian cancers develop after menopause.
Personal or family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer or colorectal cancer
Hormone therapy, particularly estrogen-only therapy for more than five years
Inherited cancer syndromes, including BRCA gene mutations, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
Reproductive history: Women who have never given birth or gave birth after the age of 35 have a greater ovarian cancer risk.
Endometriosis, a condition in which uterine lining grows outside of the uterus
BE VIGILANT
Many women I’ve spoken to about health conditions (myself included) don’t want to appear to be a hypochondriac who runs to the doctor every time we feel discomfort, but it’s important to pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you, your life may depend on it.
The websites that I gathered information from are below. Links within quoted text in this post will lead to the source website.
https://www.rush.edu/news/5-early-signs-ovarian-cancer
https://www.womenandinfants.org/blog/ovarian-cancer-signs
https://www.cityofhope.org/clinical-program/ovarian-cancer/ovarian-cancer-facts
