What the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer symptoms

Symptoms of early stage ovarian cancer are difficult to detect, in part because the symptoms are often mild and difficult to recognize. More than 80% of patients express symptoms of ovarian cancer. Many women often mistake symptoms for premenstrual cramping or irritable bowel syndrome. Unfortunately, over 80% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed in middle to late stage ovarian cancer, where the rate of survival drops.

Early stage symptoms for ovarian cancer

Early stage ovarian cancer symptoms include:

• A constant feeling of abdominal bloating or fullness that lasts every day for several weeks. Pelvic, back, or abdominal pain.
• Difficulty eating or becoming full quickly.
• Bladder problems or frequent urge to urinate.

If these symptoms are new and persist daily for longer than 2 weeks, women should have a pelvic examination performed by their gynecologist. Early stage ovarian cancer has a 90% cure rate, but it is difficult to spot the symptoms early. The main difference of a ovarian cancer symptom is that it is persistent and occurs daily for several weeks straight.

Middle to late stage ovarian cancer symptoms

Middle to late stage ovarian cancer symptoms include:

• Heavy abdominal swelling
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Changes in bladder patterns
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Loss of appetite

Most noticeable symptoms occur in later stages. Late stage ovarian cancer symptoms are more obvious such as heavy abdominal swelling or a loss of appetite.