Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
There are many signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. The most common symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms such as urgency (always feeling the need to go) or frequency (having to go often)
Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Back pain
- Pain during intercourse
- Constipation
- Menstrual cramps
- Abdominal swelling with weight loss
If symptoms last more than a few weeks, it is important to go talk to your doctor, preferably your gynecologist.
What is the general outlook for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer?
In women age 35-74, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. An estimated one woman in 71 will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be over 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed this year and that more than 15,000 women will die from ovarian cancer this year.
When one is diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is over 90%. Due to ovarian cancer’s non-specific symptoms and lack of early detection tests, only 19% of all cases are found at this early stage. If caught in stage III or higher, the survival rate can be as low as 30.6%. Due to the nature of the disease, each woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has a different profile and it is impossible to provide a general prognosis.
Source: American Cancer Society
