The Cancer that Whispers
Ovarian cancer is sometimes described as ‘the cancer that whispers. Unfortunately that’s because ovarian cancer is very difficult to detect early. Unlike some cancers that announce themselves with blood or severe pain, the symptoms that women with ovarian cancer report are subtle. They can include things like feeling bloated or getting full sooner after eating, and because the symptoms can be so subtle, many women don’t notice them until the disease is already advanced and has metastasized.
In addition to feeling bloated or full, other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Pain during sex
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Weight loss and swelling around the abdomen
- Changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle, such as irregular or heavier bleeding
Its easy (and common) for women to ascribe these symptoms to other, less serious causes because there usually isn’t extreme pain or copious blood associated with ovarian cancer. Some women may just try to ignore what they’re feeling and not seek medical attention.
Early Screening and Detection
Complicating matters even more is that there are no effective screening tests for ovarian cancer. When women go for their annual gynecology exam they usually have a Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer. There is no equivalent test to detect ovarian cancer before there are symptoms and the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage.
The CA 125 test detects a marker in the blood that can become elevated with ovarian cancer. But the level may become elevated due to a number of other conditions, leading to a lot of false positive results for ovarian cancer. Doctors say the best use for this test is monitoring women who are being treated for ovarian cancer, as the test can help to detect a recurrence early.
Genetic testing is also available to determine if a women has a predetermined gene mutation that is linked to breast cancer and ovarian cancer. To see if you qualify for genetic testing, click here.
Transvaginal ultrasound can detect masses in the ovaries or pelvis, but the exams are expensive and not practical to offer to all women. These tests can help determine the presence and the stage of ovarian cancer once the disease is suspected.
But that leaves most women and their doctors without a reliable way to detect the cancer early. That’s why it’s up to women to learn about the subtle symptoms and monitor themselves.
The Importance of Women’s Awareness
It’s really important that women advocate for themselves when they know that something isn’t right with their bodies. In general, the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be subtle, and they are symptoms that many of us experience for more mundane reasons, like a GI bug or on your period. However, for ovarian cancer, these symptoms tend to persist and they don’t go away with the time of the month or get better in a few days. Women who are experiencing these symptoms for longer than two weeks to speak with their doctor and make sure to get a full medical evaluation.
SOURCE: Survivor.net