Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

The ovaries are two small organs that are part of the female reproductive system. Eggs mature inside the ovaries. In women of childbearing age, one ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tube every month, where it may be fertilised with sperm. If it's not fertilised, the egg passes into the womb (uterus) and is lost when the uterus sheds its lining as a monthly period. The ovaries also produce the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. After the menopause, the ovaries produce less of these hormones and no longer release an egg each month. This is why periods stop after the menopause.

The early detection of ovarian cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment and survival. However, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are usually "silent," meaning that they are either subtle or do not present themselves until the disease has progressed to more advanced stages. However, recent research suggests that there may be common symptoms of ovarian cancer. Women should become familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer and see a physician if they experience a persistent symptom. All women 18 years of age and older should also receive annual pelvic exams.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are nonspecific and mimic those of many other more common conditions, including digestive and bladder disorders. It isn't unusual for a woman with ovarian cancer to be diagnosed with another condition before finally learning she has cancer. The key seems to be persistent or worsening signs and symptoms. With most digestive disorders, symptoms tend to come and go, or they occur in certain situations or after eating certain foods. With ovarian cancer, there's typically little fluctuation — symptoms are constant and gradually worsen.

Ovarian cancer symptoms may start early, and three cancer organizations today issued a joint statement telling women what to watch out for. Ovarian cancer is the most deadly cancer of the female reproductive system. Its high death rate is partly due to the lack of early detection and screening tests. The new statement -- issued by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, and American Cancer Society -- could help women note ovarian cancer's possible early warning symptoms and seek help swiftly.

The symptoms to watch out for are bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly and feeling a frequent or urgent need to urinate. A woman who has any of those problems nearly every day for more than two or three weeks is advised to see a gynecologist, especially if the symptoms are new and quite different from her usual state of health. Doctors say they hope that the recommendations will make patients and doctors aware of early symptoms, lead to earlier diagnosis and, perhaps, save lives, or at least prolong survival. But it is too soon to tell whether the new measures will work or whether they will lead to a flood of diagnostic tests or even unnecessary operations.

Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies. 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. Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.

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