Friday, October 3, 2008

Early Signs Of Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

By Paul Green

Ovarian cancer affects 1 of 57 women as the fourth leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. Although ovarian cancer is treatable if it is diagnosed early, only 24% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed early enough. This causes decreasing survival rates as time passes by. Consequently, it is important for women to look out for early symptoms of ovarian cancer.

During the summer of 2007, the American Cancer Society and other similar organizations published findings that symptoms such as unexpected bloating, gas, or a feeling of fullness; fatigue, menstrual abnormalities, abdominal or pelvic pain, sudden urge and/or frequent urination and sudden changes in food habits such as difficulty in consuming food or feeling full too quickly may be early symptoms of ovarian cancer.

All women should monitor the early symptoms of ovarian cancer in order to have ovarian cancer diagnosed as early as possible, if at risk. If these symptoms last for more than two to three weeks, women should seek advice from their doctor. Although symptoms such as menstrual irregularities or pelvic pain don't always point to ovarian cancer, being aware of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer can help save lives. Keep in mind there is currently no reliable medical screening exam for the early detection of ovarian cancer.

In order to rule out ovarian cancer, it is essential to visit your doctor if you experience any sudden or out of the ordinary symptoms, and then follow it up with a bimanual pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and a Ca125 blood test. Women who have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, have never used birth control pills or have had no pregnancies and whom were diagnosed with breast cancer before they were 50 years old are more likely than most to develop ovarian cancer.

The risk of developing ovarian cancer varies among women. Some risk factors for women include being an Ashkenazi Jew, being age 50 or older, having at least two relatives with a history of ovarian cancer, and a history of exposure to multiple fertility drugs. Women who fall within these categories should be cognizant of what constitutes early symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Regular gynecology checkups are vital for every woman. Some symptoms are common to many conditions and illnesses. If the symptoms persist for longer than two to three weeks, a medical advice is highly recommended. For instance, many of the same early symptoms for ovarian cancer are similar to those experienced with ovarian cysts or irritable bowel syndrome. To be sure, visit your doctor for a thorough checkup and follow up.

Recognizing the early symptoms of ovarian cancer helps women to stop the progression of this deadly disease. Both women and their doctors should be aware of the risks of ovarian cancer. More than 6% of all cancer deaths in women are attributed to ovarian cancer.

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