Did you know more than 80% of ovarian cancers aren’t found until they’ve spread throughout the body? Women may experience few or no signs of ovarian cancer until the disease has reached its later stages.
To make things more complicated, ovarian cancer doesn’t have recommended screening tests, as breast, lung, cervical and prostate cancers do. A Pap test, which can detect cervical cancer cells, does not check for ovarian or other types of gynecologic cancers.
This is a challenge that has frustrated doctors and patients for years. Some types of ovarian cancers spread faster than others, but all of them can progress from early to late stages before you even know they’re there.
Luckily, your body has ways of telling you something’s wrong. Many ovarian cancer symptoms mimic minor, everyday health issues, but when they last a long time or seem significantly different from what’s normal for you, they may be signs of ovarian cancer.
Recognizing these seven subtle clues can lead to quicker diagnosis and better health outcomes.
1. Bloating
People experience bloating for all kinds of reasons. Your menstrual cycle, digestive problems, and even how you chew and swallow can make your tummy swell.
Unfortunately, bloating is an early sign of ovarian cancer, too. With bloating, you may also experience distention, which is a measurable increase in your abdominal girth.
2. Pain
As cancer spreads, it can press against organs and nerves, causing pain. Ovarian cancer typically spreads to nearby tissues first. These include your fallopian tubes, the inner lining of your abdominal and pelvic cavities (peritoneum), and the folds of fatty tissue that cover your abdominal organs (omentum).
With this pattern of spreading, ovarian cancer can cause pain anywhere in your abdominal and pelvic areas. Let your doctor know if you have persistent pain in one or more of these places:
- Abdomen
- Back
- Pelvic area
Painful sex can be another early indicator of ovarian cancer.
3. Digestive Issues
You may feel silly mentioning this one to your doctor—after all, digestive problems typically have to do with your esophagus, stomach and intestinal tract.
However, ovarian cancer can also cause tummy troubles. Be aware of:
- Feeling full too soon
- Trouble eating much
- Upset stomach
Not eating enough or feeling full all the time can lead to unintentional weight loss, also a sign of ovarian cancer.
4. Running to the Toilet—a Lot
Ovarian cancer can affect your bladder, causing you to have to urinate more urgently or more frequently.
In some cases, the ovarian tumor may press on the bladder, leading to an increased need to urinate. Additionally, the buildup of abdominal fluid known as ascites can further compress the bladder, contributing to more frequent bathroom visits.
5. Constipation
Constipation may be a sign of ovarian cancer and other abdominal cancers. As tumors grow, they can block the bowel, preventing stool from passing.
6. Fatigue
Between work, family and social obligations, many women stay busy all the time. You may feel like fatigue is just part of life.
Good health, though, involves ease and relaxation. If you’re tired all the time, you may be doing too much—and if you write off fatigue as normal, you may be missing signs of serious illness, like cancer. In fact, fatigue is a common sign of many cancers. Talk with your doctor if you feel tired frequently, especially if you have other signs of ovarian cancer.
7. Changes in Your Cycle
Your ovaries receive hormonal signals from your brain and, in turn, release hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. Problems with your ovaries can throw this process out of rhythm. Let your doctor know if you experience menstrual changes such as:
- Heavy bleeding compared with your typical period
- Irregular periods
Like other symptoms of ovarian cancer, changes in your cycle typically have an everyday explanation—think stress, diet or perimenopause. However, when you consider that half of ovarian cancers affect women age 63 and older, unexpected bleeding or discharge should definitely be raised with your doctor. Plus, some types of ovarian cancer strike women as early as their 40s and 50s.
With Ovarian Cancer, Knowledge Is Power
Although many women experience symptoms like the ones we’ve discussed, ovarian cancer in its early stages typically has mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. That’s why it’s important to learn about your risk for ovarian cancer.
Ask your doctor about your risk, especially if you are past menopause and have:
- A gene mutation, such as Lynch syndrome, that’s associated with cancer
- Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
- History of endometriosis
- Lifestyle-related risk factors, such as obesity or smoking
- Risk factors related to your cycle, such as early menstruation or late menopause
If you have a family background of cancer, your doctor may recommend genetic testing to help you understand your risk more clearly.
Women who take hormone replacement therapy should also ask their doctor about their ovarian cancer risk.
Key Takeaways
Plenty of issues, from overeating to menopause, can cause changes that mimic signs of ovarian cancer. You don’t need to feel anxious just because you’ve gone up a size or feel tired sometimes. However, if bloating, pain, fatigue, digestive issues or menstrual problems persist or seem abnormal, talk with your doctor.
Whatever your concerns, your clinician will advise you about the next steps to put your mind at rest. If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the gynecologic oncologists at Capital Health Cancer Center will guide you through your treatment process with expertise and compassion.
Your health is too valuable to risk. Find a Capital Health OB/GYN who can discuss your ovarian cancer risk and any other unexplained health issues you may be experiencing.