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5 Signs that You May Be Suffering from Ovarian Cancer
  

ovariancancerOvarian cancer is one of the biggest threats to female health across America. In the United States alone, almost 22,000 women are diagnosed every year with this deadly disease. It is the 9th most common cancer in women in the country, and the 5th leading cause of cancer death in women.

Why is it so high up on the mortality scale?

  
One of the biggest problems with diagnosing ovarian cancer is that a lot of the symptoms are non-specific. They’re general. This means that a lot of the signs also apply to a number of other less concerning conditions that cause people to look at them less seriously than they otherwise would.

Unfortunately, this means for a lot of women that once the cancer is found, it has already spread. The spread makes it a lot harder to treat and as a result, thousands of women die every year.

It’s a scary thought that no more than 20% of ovarian cancer diagnoses are given in the early stages of the disease – for the most part they are all given when it’s already too late. Some women are never even diagnosed, and the cancer ends up being a silent killer.

So, it’s important to know what the symptoms are, and to not simply neglect the possibility that your health could be at risk. Here are 5 symptoms of ovarian cancer that YOU may be dealing with:

1. Abdominal Swelling & Bloating
If you’re noticing your belly starting to feel stiff or bloated, then you should get it checked out right away. It may also be a sign of a number of other gastrointestinal problems, but it’s one of the biggest indications of ovarian cancer in women.

  
2. Loss of Appetite or Quick Feelings of Being Full
If you know your own appetite, then question yourself as to why you may be feeling less hungry throughout the day. Also, if you’re feeling full half way through meal time, it could also be a sign that you have ovarian cancer.

At the same time, feelings of appetite loss can also be a sign of physical AND mental conditions in women, so make sure you pay attention to how much you’re eating.

3. Lower Back Pain
If you’re stretching regularly, avoiding awkward movements and exercises, and living a reasonably active life, you shouldn’t be dealing with lower back pain. Well, unless the pain is coming from somewhere else.

Lower back pain could be a sign of joint conditions, herniated discs, ovarian cancer, and more.

4. Stomach Pain & Pressure in the Pelvis
If you’re getting that feeling in your gut that something doesn’t feel right, go see a doctor. Even though it may just be something you ate, or a bad bout of gas, it is also one of the best indicators that your ovaries may be dealing with something.

5. Having Lots of Gas or Digestive Issues
If you’re having issues in your bowel movements, or feeling flatulent for days and weeks at a time, then see a doctor ASAP. It could save your life, even though the symptoms don’t appear too serious.

Because a lot of cases of ovarian cancer go undiagnosed, you may have a record of it in your family without even knowing it. If people in your family have experienced the condition before, you may also be at higher risk. Make sure you pay attention to your body to make sure that you’re safe, because if you wait too long, it may be too late.

Sources:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/detailedguide/ovarian-cancer-key-statistics

http://www.ovariancancer.org/2010/01/28/symptoms-alone-dont-spot-ovarian-cancer-early/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/basics/risk-factors/con-20028096

http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/guide/ovarian-cancer-symptoms-types

http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/5-signs-may-suffering-ovarian-cancer.html