Ovarian cancer strikes a woman’s ovaries, or reproductive glands that are responsible for egg production for reproduction. The ovaries are located within the pelvis on either side of the uterus. They provide the female body with hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries are also responsible for egg production, which during ovulation, travel via the fallopian tubes to the uterus where a fertilized egg attaches and grows into a fetus.
Like any cancer, ovarian cancer is most successfully treated early even though this type of cancer can be difficult to diagnose because there are no routine screenings available for ovarian cancer. Also, the ovaries are located deep within the pelvis, which makes tumor identification rare during physical exams. For this reason, it’s vital to keep close watch for these common ovarian cancer symptoms:
1. Spotting and bleeding
Abnormal bleeding or spotting between periods or in menopause is a common early symptom of ovarian cancer. Also look for abnormal vaginal discharge, skin discolorations, and sores or blisters inside and around the vagina.
2. Urinary urgency
Changes in urination, for instance, urinating more often, difficulty urinating, blood in urine, or having to go very suddenly, can all indicate ovarian cancer.
3. Back pain
Ovarian cancer patients often report what’s described as unexplained back pain or persistent, dull achy pain in the lower back, often related to labor pain.
4. Pelvic or abdominal pain
Any pain or bloating in the abdominal or pelvic region can result from ovarian cancer. Keep an eye on any chronic bloating and pain that doesn’t go away as well as painful intercourse.
5. Appetite changes
Loss of appetite is a common symptom with many types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. In fact, unexplained indigestion, heartburn, and nausea, lack of appetite, and feeling full unusually quickly when eating can all indicate the presence of cancer, which affects the metabolic breakdown of food into energy.
6. Irregular bowel movements
Sudden changes in bowel habits (i.e., constipation and diarrhea), is often a sign of ovarian cancer if the tumor swells and compresses the stomach, bowel, and bladder.
