Ovarian cancer happens in the ovaries, the female reproductive glands which release the egg, it is also responsible for the female sex and pregnancy hormones, estrogen and progesterone. In ovarian cancer, malignant cells grow rapidly in the ovary and clump into a tumour. Like other cancers, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are hard to miss provided you know about them. Many women often dismiss these early symptoms as another anomaly. Experts believe about 20 per cent of ovarian cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage depending on the symptoms a woman experiences.
We look at some of the most common and often ignored symptoms of ovarian cancer.
1. Stomach bloating and feeling full
Of late you have had great difficulties eating. Either you get tired and full too easily because of which your appetite has gone down considerably. Or your stomach feels bloated after every meal, even simple, light, home-cooked meal. You have come to detest the ritual of eating. You find it cumbersome to go through the entire course. Or your stomach feel bloated and uncomfortable. These are early symptoms of ovarian cancer. And if you have been experiencing this sensation for a few days now. And your usually gas and acidity medication is not working. Please fix an appointment with your doctor.
2. Pain in the abdomen
Many a women take pain in the abdomen for menstrual cramps. Among the prominent early symptoms of ovarian cancer is excruciating pain in the stomach, in the lower abdomen in particular. For some it can be as bad as a menstrual cramp. Or might even feel like a case of indigestion and gas. But this actually could mean a tumour formation in your ovaries. Usually those with this symptom, experience frequent and sudden pain in the abdomen, which does not cease with any medication. If you have been experiencing a similar pain for few days now, time you reported it.
3. Frequent urination
Frequent and urgent urination, both these are regarded as formidable symptoms of ovarian cancer. Unless you are a pregnant lady or you have just had a lot of water. If you have this condition, where you urinate every hour, sometimes at an even shorter frequency, and usually the urgency is very high. Please take this indication from your body very seriously.
The urgency to urinate is a deciding factor, whether or not this could be a plausible cancer symptom. Nature has given us the ability to hold back. But if you find it difficult to do so, and have been urinating extremely frequently, you need to visit your doctor.
4. Fatigue
Extreme exhaustion and fatigue are normal and most women experience it. But have you noticed your energy levels dip of late so much so that you cannot carry out your basic tasks. You feel tired walking around in the house, taking the stairs. Even exercising tires you out.
This sudden and extreme fatigue is not normal, and every woman should be watchful of that. It is alright to be tired at the end of the day or feel lazy. But poor energy levels at all times and having difficulty carrying out everyday tasks can be construed as an early symptom of ovarian cancer.
5. Pain in the lower back
Now, this is a very common symptom a lot of women experience. Also a result of excessive physical labour, your back can hurt. But is this pain in your lower back acute? You need to read this sign well. A backache usually heals with a goodnight’s sleep. Now does your backache is persistent, stinging and over-whelms you in the middle of the day? You must raise it with your doctor. Watch out if you experience this sort of a pain on a regular basis. Remember you are not putting in too much physical labour.
6. Constipation
Did you know constipation is among the subtle symptoms of ovarian cancer? You have changed your diet to include more fruits, vegetables. And despite that your bowel movement is still not normal. Constipation can be read in many ways. But if you have been feeling constipated for no definite reason. You need to get it checked with your doctor.
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