{"id":3409,"date":"2019-01-30T04:35:44","date_gmt":"2019-01-30T04:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=3409"},"modified":"2021-05-24T19:15:24","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T19:15:24","slug":"12-ovarian-cancer-symptoms-that-are-hard-to-recognize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/12-ovarian-cancer-symptoms-that-are-hard-to-recognize\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Ovarian Cancer Symptoms That Are Hard to Recognize"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Advances in medical science and treatment mean that women with ovarian cancer have a higher survival rate than a few decades ago. Unfortunately, the subtle signs of the disease are hard to spot, and as a result, more than 70-percent of affected women receive a diagnosis when cancer has advanced into a later stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The five-year survival rate for women that experience the onset of early-stage ovarian cancer is between 80 to 909-percent. However, for women diagnosed at a late stage of the disease, the survival rate drops to 40-percent or less. This silent killer produces symptoms that are easily confused with other conditions or written off as a temporary ailment without cause for concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re over the age of 30-years and experience any of the following early warning signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, seek immediate consultation with your doctor for a diagnosis, your life may depend on you taking action.
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1. Bloating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every woman experiences the symptoms of bloating <\/a>at some stage in their life. For many women, bloating is a sign of menstruation that\u2019s nothing to be concerned with, it\u2019s a stage of the monthly ovarian cycle that they\u2019ve had plenty of experience dealing with since they entered puberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloating also occurs if you\u2019ve eaten too much food, or you\u2019re experiencing a hormone imbalance after or during pregnancy. This bloating leads to an uncomfortable sensation in the abdomen, as fluids and gas press up against other organs causing discomfort and pain to the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, persistent bloating symptoms that last for 3-weeks or longer may be early warning signs of ovarian cancer. In most cases, bloating is accompanied by distension of the abdomen, where the stomach has visible signs of swelling. Take this symptom as a red flag for possible ovarian cancer, and arrange a consultation with your physician for a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Constipation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Recent studies in nutritional science link the health of the gut biome, trillions of live bacteria living in your GI tract, to health and well-being. Over 70-percent of the immune system resides in the digestive tract, and digestion takes up to 60-percent of all metabolic energy produced in the body. When we fall ill, or biomes send neurotransmitter <\/a>signals to the brain to let us know something is wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This internal communication between biomes and the brain may bring some sense to the adage that states, \u201ctrust your gut.\u201d GI problems can occur due to a variety of issues in the digestive tract, such as stress, anxiety, and IBS, (irritable bowel syndrome.) However, constipation is one of the more less-noticed symptoms of ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that you\u2019re dealing with frequent bouts of constipation, it could be something more severe than you think. Make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Persistent Abdominal Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Reoccurring pain in the abdomen may be a sign of ovarian cancer<\/a>. As tumors grow, they place pressure on the surrounding organs, enticing sensations of pain and discomfort in areas of the abdomen. The pain typically occurs in the lower back and pelvis, with patients describing the feeling like a slow, throbbing pain that comes and goes during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the cancer advances, you may begin to notice a frequent reoccurrence of pain symptoms that increase in their intensity as the weeks pass. This condition also occurs in highly stressed individuals, but the difference is that the pain disappears when stress levels decline. If this describes your symptoms, then you may be dealing with a digestive tract disorder, not the onset of ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if the pain symptoms persist, it’s best to take this as a red flag and visit your doctor for a pelvic exam to determine the source of your pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Bladder Dysfunction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Urinary tract infections <\/a>may be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but they\u2019re another symptom of ovarian cancer that you shouldn\u2019t ignore. Some women experience frequent urinary tract infections, while others live their entire lives without ever noticing signs of a UTI. If you suffer from recurrent UTI, then you may not think that its a serious cause for concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, bladder and urinary issues often have a link to gynecologic or reproductive problems, and in some cases – cancer. Urinary symptoms of the disease include urgency to urinate or pain while urinating. If you notice you feel pain or pressure on your bladder, as well as frequent urination and a sudden need to go to the toilet, it may be an early warning sign that ovarian tumors are starting to develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If these symptoms last more than a few days, especially after treatment with antibiotics prescribed by your physician, it may be a symptom of ovarian cancer.
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5. Loss of Appetite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A loss of appetite <\/a>is a common theme across all types of cancer, but it\u2019s a warning sign that many people afflicted with the condition fail to note in its early stages. As the tumors progress, they cause changes in the gut biome that ramp up immune function, taking vital energy away from digestion to fuel white blood cell creation to attack the invading cells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fighting of disease absorbs a significant amount of calories, and when there is no new fuel entering the body to increase metabolic function, the patient begins to lose body mass as the digestive system turns to adipose tissue and lean muscle to fuel its fight against cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that you\u2019re feeling less hungry than usual over an extended period of a week or more, it may be an early warning sign of ovarian cancer. Speak to your doctor about your appetite and weight loss issues.
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6. Irregularity with Periods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women experience different levels of bleeding during menstruation<\/a>. Some find they have light periods, while others may experience bouts of heavy bleeding during the peak of their menstrual cycle. Women who are used to having light periods, and find that they\u2019re bleeding heavier than usual, may confuse this early ovarian cancer symptom with \u201cmenorrhagia.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This condition occurs when a woman\u2019s menstrual cycle is more substantial than usual and last for longer than a week. Women suffering from the symptoms of menorrhagia may notice they need to change their tampon or pad as frequently as every hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excessive bleeding can cause an iron deficiency and lead to the development of anemia, a condition where the blood does not contain high enough levels of iron to absorb enough oxygen into the blood, leading to symptoms of light-headedness and fatigue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors can treat irregular periods using medication, but if you typically don’t experience heavy periods, it’s best you ask your physician to conduct a pelvic exam for signs of ovarian cancer.
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7. Pain with Intercourse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women who have ovarian cancer may notice that intercourse with their partner becomes increasingly uncomfortable, and eventually painful, as the tumors <\/a>continue to grow. This condition is also referred to as \u201cdyspareunia,\u201d and describes a recurring pain in the pelvis or genital area during intercourse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain symptoms occurring from dyspareunia occur in the bladder, urethra, or vagina, or deep in the pelvis. The pain can also occur during menstruation, as most women use a sanitary tampon to absorb bleeding symptoms. In rare occurrences, an itching or burning sensation may accompany pain symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain from dyspareunia can be intense, with sharp, shooting pains through the pelvic region during penetration. Symptoms of dyspareunia can occur during or after intercourse. This disorder also occurs in healthy men and women, with women being most affected by the condition. Dyspareunia happens for a variety of reasons, and doctors treat the disease using antibiotics and antifungal medications.
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8. Dermatomyositis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This uncommon inflammatory disease is one of three types of inflammatory myopathies that affect women and men. Women in the early stages of ovarian cancer may experience a rash <\/a>that develops on their face, eyelids, between the fingers, on the knuckles, or in the folds of the knees and elbows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of slight muscular weakness may accompany the rash as well. The muscles in the neck, arms, and legs may experience a steady progression of weakness over the course of a few weeks. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this chronic condition. However, physicians can manage the symptoms by treating affected individuals with a combination of drug therapy and topical corticosteroids to relieve symptoms of rash and skin inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rash is purple in color and muscle weakness affects both sides of the body. Other symptoms of dermatomyositis include lung issues, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, and fatigue. Speak to your doctor if you notice this early warning sign of ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Pelvic Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pelvic inflammatory disease, also known by its acronym; PID, affects the tissues and organs in the pelvis. The condition typically occurs after contracting an STI. When trichomonas, gonorrhea<\/a>, or chlamydia bacteria enter the vagina, they quickly spread to the surrounding tissues, traveling up the urethra toward the ovaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This infection results in severe inflammation of the pelvis, leading to severe pain and discomfort. Doctors treat this infection with antibiotics to kill off the invading bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, affected individuals may also develop PID from ovarian cysts, or cancerous tumors that are growing in the ovaries. As a result, the inflammation of the ovaries presents pain symptoms similar to those from an STI PID infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affected individuals experience severe cramping and pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, leading them to take action and seek medical help. Doctors may often confuse symptoms between PID and ovarian cancer, treating the patient for the wrong condition. However, bloodwork will reveal the presence of cancer cells in the ovaries.
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10. Quickly feeling Full When Eating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women with ovarian cancer may also notice changes to their appetite and the amount of food they can eat in a single sitting. As cancer cells continue to grow in the ovary or ovaries, they place pressure on surrounding organs in the pelvis. This disorder leads to the accumulation of inflammatory particles in tissue, resulting in the development of PID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals who are living with pelvic inflammatory disease experience swelling of the bladder, which places pressure on the lower part of the stomach<\/a>. This pressure reduces the space available in the lower abdomen, limiting stomach capacity. As a result, women with ovarian cancer-causing PID may find that they can\u2019t eat as much as they usually would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, the symptoms of feeling full after you\u2019ve eaten will continue to progress, and you can expect to lose a significant amount of body weight in a short time. While this may sound appealing to some women, we assure you that its an incredibly dangerous situation. People who don\u2019t get the calories, and nutrients they need, end up with nutrient deficiencies that result in further health complications.
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11. Increase in Urinary Frequency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ovarian cancer disrupts the normal function of the reproductive system, but it can also have disastrous consequences for the urinary tract as well. When cancer cells grow and form tumors, these growths may cause the onset of pelvic inflammatory disease. When the organs in the pelvic area start to swell, it places an undue amount of pressure on the bladder<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the additional pressure on the bladder, affected individuals may notice that they have to take more trips to the bathroom during the course of the day. Urinary incontinence may also accompany feelings of not emptying the bladder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incontinence is an embarrassing situation where the bladder leaks throughout the day. Affected individuals may need to wear adult diapers to prevent urine from leaking into their undergarments. If left untreated, the situation could progress into fecal incontinence as well. Reducing inflammation in the pelvis will clear up urinary incontinence and frequency.
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12. Hormone Imbalance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ovaries are responsible for producing the hormones estrogen <\/a>and progesterone. When cancer cells begin to grow and form tumors in the ovaries, they may present feelings of pain, along with a hormonal imbalance. Women experiencing the adverse effects of a hormone imbalance may notice wild swings in mood throughout the course of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hormone balance may also affect your body temperature and many women with ovarian cancer report that they receive night sweats a few times a week as the body struggles with producing estrogen and progesterone. If left untreated, a hormone imbalance can drastically reduce your quality of life and mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat hormone imbalance using HRT, (hormone replacement therapy.) This treatment includes the ingestion or injection of exogenous hormones to regulate the balance of estrogen in the blood. In some cases, hormone imbalance may also lead to the development of other adverse autoimmune diseases, such as adrenal fatigue.
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13. Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women who are living with ovarian cancer may not notice any pain symptoms or abnormalities in the initial months as the cancer cells grow in the ovaries. One of the first symptoms to show up is fatigue<\/a>. Fatigue is a constant feeling of tiredness that prevents the affected individual from leading a healthy, active lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with fatigue describe the situation as feeling tired upon waking in the morning and being unable to shake the feeling dur9ing the course of the morning. This feeling of tiredness may occur due to a hormone imbalance in estrogen and progesterone, leading to the overproduction of cortisol, the stress hormone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the imbalance, the adrenal glands regularly release adrenaline-like hormones and cortisol, resulting in a feeling of tiredness while being unable to fall asleep due to overstimulation of the nervous system. Doctors treat this condition with hormone replacement drugs to balance the body\u2019s natural levels.
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14. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ovarian cancer has a set of risk factors<\/a> that identify a subset of the population as high-risk for developing the disease. If you find that you fall into any of the risk factors mentioned below, visit your doctor for a checkup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ovarian cancer typically occurs in women between the ages of 50 to 60-years old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gene mutations inherited from parents play a significant role in the development of ovarian cancer. If your mother or grandmother experienced ovarian cancer, there\u2019s a higher risk for you developing the disease as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women with genetic disorders like Lynch syndrome may also be at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many doctors use HRT, (hormone replacement therapy,) to treat disorders such as adrenal fatigue, prolonged usage of HRT medicines may also spur the inset and development of ovarian cancer cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting menstruation early, or experiencing early menopause also places you in the high-risk category for developing ovarian cancer.
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