Six warning signs of ovarian cancer
Bloating, changes in bowel habits and increased urination are common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ovarian cysts or even lactose intolerance.
But if they persist, they could also be symptoms of ovarian cancer – the disease that kills an average of 11 women a day in Britain, or 4,000 a year.
It also kills three times as many women in the US each year, figures show.
However, symptoms of the disease are not always obvious, meaning it is often discovered late – when it is more difficult to treat.
Here, MailOnline reveals the top six cancer warning signs on Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day.
The disease kills an average of 11 women every day in Britain, or 4,000 a year. It also kills three times as many people in the US each year, figures show. When symptoms are caused by ovarian cancer, they tend to be persistent, with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommending your GP arrange tests if you experience these symptoms 12 or more times a month
Bloating or an increase in the size of the abdomen
It is usually a telltale sign that you are constipated.
But persistent bloating — not just bloating that comes and goes — is also a key sign of ovarian cancer, according to the NHS.
However, it is concerning that only one in five British women can cite bloating as one of the main symptoms of the disease, says the charity Target Ovarian Cancer.
The swelling may be caused by trapped fluid — ascites — lining the wall of the stomach, notes Ovarian Cancer Action.
In advanced stages of ovarian cancer, bloating can become so severe that the abdomen becomes visibly distended.
In some cases, this is mistaken for a pregnancy belly.
Those experiencing severe and visible bloating should make an appointment with their GP immediately and seek urgent referrals for further investigation, the charity urges.
Feeling full quickly
Ascites — the same fluid buildup that causes bloating — can also make you feel full faster.
This is another major symptom of ovarian cancer, which also makes finishing even small meals difficult, according to the NHS.
The Gynae Centre, a private clinic in London, says this “could make you feel nauseous, uncomfortable or already full” if it affects the gastrointestinal tract.
If you regularly experience one or more of these symptoms, which are not normal for you, it is important that you contact your doctor.
Your GP or practice nurse can refer you for further testing or to a specialist in hospital if they think you have a condition that needs testing.
Loss of appetite
Like bloating, loss of appetite can also be caused by a tumor or ascites.
This can keep you from feeling hungry because the fluid pushes against other organs in your stomach.
A loss of appetite can be independent of bloating and fullness or can be a result of these symptoms.
Experts recommend keeping a symptom diary to track what symptoms you experience and if they change.
You can also take this to your doctor to update them on your condition.
Pain in the abdomen that won’t go away
Persistent abdominal pain is another major symptom of ovarian cancer, according to the NHS.
But the uncomfortable feeling is similar to menstrual cramps, leading women to think that these stomach problems are harmless.
If your pain improves when your stress is relieved, your symptoms are likely stress related.
However, tumors growing in the pelvis can cause lower abdominal pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If the tumor spreads into the abdomen or pelvis, it can irritate the tissue in your lower back, experts say.
Having to urinate more often
Having to urinate more often can be a sign of an infection. But it may also be a symptom of ovarian cancer.
However, this sign of cancer is not widely known.
Only one in 100 women knows about it, according to Target Ovarian Cancer.
When a tumor grows on the ovaries, it can push against the bladder, causing you to go to the toilet more often.
Ascites in the pelvis, which compresses the bladder, can also make women feel like they need to urinate more often.
Internal pressure can also block your ureters, which are the tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder, according to Cancer Research.
When this happens, the urine cannot drain, which can cause the kidney to swell.
Changes in bowel habits or symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
Diarrhea or constipation are common symptoms of IBS or even food poisoning.
But it is also a common sign of ovarian cancer.
Some gastrointestinal problems can occur as a result of the growing tumor putting pressure on nearby organs such as the intestine.
If you’re age 50 or older and are experiencing symptoms of IBS for the first time, it’s worth getting tested, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.
IBS can cause bloating and changes in bowel function, but it usually doesn’t start after age 50, the charity notes.
WHY Ovarian Cancer Is Called A ‘SILENT KILLER’
About 80 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in an advanced stage of the disease.
At the time of diagnosis, 60 percent of ovarian cancers have already spread to other parts of the body, reducing the five-year survival rate from 90 percent at the earliest stage to 30 percent.
According to Dr. Ronny Drapkin, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania who has studied the disease for more than 20 years, the disease is diagnosed so late because of its location in the pelvis.
“The pelvis is like a bowl, so a tumor there can get quite big before it becomes really noticeable,” Dr Drapkin told the Daily Mail Online.
The first symptoms that appear with ovarian cancer are gastrointestinal because tumors can push upward.
When a patient complains of gastrointestinal discomfort, doctors are more likely to focus on dietary changes and other causes than on an ovarian cancer screening.
Dr. Drapkin said it’s usually only after a patient has endured persistent gastrointestinal symptoms that they get a screening that reveals the cancer.
“Ovarian cancer is often said to be a silent killer because it has no early symptoms when in fact it does have symptoms, but they’re just very common and could be caused by other things,” he said.
“One of the things I say to women is that nobody knows your body better than you do. If you feel that something is not right, then something is probably not right.’