Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose in its early stages. There is no real screening test for early detection, and the symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for normal gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and bloating.
But this does not mean that women are powerless. Knowing the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer is the best defense against the disease.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
Pelvic exams are important to a woman’s health, but unfortunately, most ovarian tumors are difficult to detect. Health care providers screen for cervical cancer, such as Pap and HPV (human papillomavirus), but not for ovarian cancer. In most cases, ovarian cancer is diagnosed when a woman undergoes an ultrasound or CT scan. All this means that the diagnosis often comes late, when the cancer has progressed and is likely to spread to other parts of the body.
There are many warning signs of non-cancerous conditions, but if you’re experiencing any of these common ovarian cancer symptoms and they’re more or more frequent than usual, talk to your family doctor or gynecologist.
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