Ovarian is one of the most dangerous cancer in women. The main reason is that its symptoms are very subtle, and in most cases, it is detected when it is in the most advanced stages.
In general, cancer is a silent disease, but the ovarian cancer is quiet –that is why it is called the silent killer. However, specific symptoms and signs allow us to early notice this terrible disease in our organisms. Let’s know a little more about this dreadful disease:
What is ovarian cancer?
It is the disordered growth of tissue cells that make up the ovaries, which leads to the formation of malignant tumors. There are different types of ovarian cancer, according to the area where the malformation occurs. These are the main ones:
Ovarian cancer statistics
The silent peculiarity of this type of disease allows only 50% of cases survive more than five years once diagnosed. It is the second most common in the female reproductive system, and the fifth most common in American women. According to with the prestigious HealthPrep “Each year, approximately 20,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with 14,000 dying from the disease, most of whom are over the age of sixty”.
The majority of cases worldwide occur in industrialized countries. Genetics is also essential since African-American and Asian women are less likely to contract it. Exist some signs that you can notice if you are aware of your body, increasing your survival probability to 95%.
4 Early Symptoms Of Ovarian Cancer
- Increase in the Frequency of Urination
If at one point you are okay, and suddenly you feel an uncontrollable urge to urinate, or if you perceive that you are going to the restroom more often than usual, you may be experiencing early symptoms of ovarian cancer. In women, the appearance of urinary tract infections is persistent, but you must be careful in case the increase in frequency persists.
- Lack of Appetite, or Feel Plenty Too Fast
It may merely be a gastrointestinal or stomach problem. However, if the problem persists for more than three weeks, we should pay attention because it could be a sign of the appearance of a tumor. If you have this condition for a long time, consult your doctor.
- Lower abdominal and pelvic pain
The affected areas are those that would usually be affected by menstrual cramps: lower stomach, pelvic region, even lower back. This condition typically occurs during the menstrual period (even a few days before and after). However, if the pain and discomfort last too much (again, about three weeks or more), it is advisable that we pay attention. These symptoms should be observed more closely by women who are in the pre-menopausal period.
- Persistent swelling
Many times our abdomens swell, usually in periods close to menstruation. However, if this inflammation is constant and persists for more than 20 days, it may be a sign of cancer in the ovary.
A Final Word
According to the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), there are no specific detection tests for ovarian cancer “…current tests do not accurately identify whether a woman does or does not have ovarian cancer.” In case you have any of these irregularities in your body, immediately go and consult your doctor. Keep in mind that some diagnostic methods can help you early detection, such as ultrasound and tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and tumor marker CA-125.
