“Cancer” is a dreaded word that makes you cringe almost every time you think of it. You wouldn’t wish it even on your worst enemy, but it is one of the leading causes of death throughout the world. So, being aware of its symptoms will definitely benefit you a great deal as it can be treated and cured during its early stages.
Cancer occurs when certain cells in your body divide uncontrollably and, eventually, spread to other parts of your body. One of the most common types of cancer that affects women is ovarian cancer. It is known as a silent killer because it does not show many symptoms and is extremely difficult to detect during the screening process. It is more common in post-menopausal women, but the number of women in their 30s and 40s being diagnosed with the disease is increasing steadily. The sooner you detect cancer, the higher your chances of survival are.
Currently, there is no reliable test that picks up malignant ovarian cysts and even certain blood tests used to detect cancer show negative results. One of the other major problems with the disease is that a majority of its symptoms are mistaken for symptoms of other diseases, like irritable bowel syndrome. In most of the cases, this causes the tumor to remain undiagnosed until it reaches stage 3, after which it can be seen as lumps in the pelvic and abdominal region. You need to be observant and should know the early signs of ovarian cancer so that you know when something is not right. Here are some of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer that you should be aware of.
1. Pain In The Lower Abdominal And Pelvic Region
During menstruation, you are likely to experience cramps in your lower back, stomach, lower abdomen, and pelvic region. This type of pain is so familiar that you don’t think about it twice. But, what if the pain sticks around much longer than just those 3 to 7 days a month? If you experience such persistent cramps, you should be on high alert as it could be a sign of ovarian cancer. If you are pre-menopausal, you should be careful not to pass it off as period pain.
2. Persistent Bloating
There can be many causes of bloating. It might be that time of the month again or your body might be retaining too much water because of what you eat. But, such cases of bloating usually last only for a few days. If you are consistently bloated, for more than 3 to 4 weeks, it may be time to get yourself screened for ovarian cancer.
3. Increased Urge To Urinate
If you still drink the same amount of water you always did, but the urge to urinate is much higher than usual, or if you get sudden extreme urges to pee, then you may have ovarian cancer in its early stages. You need to get a thorough checkup done to know what course of action to take next.
4. Decreased Appetite
Decreased appetite and difficulty eating are often symptoms of stomach, bowel, or intestine issues, but they may also be symptoms of ovarian cancer. If you find it very difficult to eat and get full quite easily for a span of 3 weeks or more, then talking to your doctor is a good idea. Make sure to check for all signs of cancer just to be on the safe side.
Since most of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer can easily be mistaken for gastrointestinal issues, it is recommended that you monitor your health and talk to your doctor frequently. Being extra cautious will definitely help you fight and beat the deadly disease.
