9 Possible symptoms of ovarian cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as irregular bleeding, swollen tummy or abdominal pain, can be very difficult to identify, especially as they can be mistaken for other less serious problems, such as urinary infections or hormonal changes.

Thus, the best ways to early identify changes that may indicate ovarian cancer include being aware of any abnormal symptoms, going to regular gynecologist appointments or having preventive exams, for example.

1. Identify abnormal symptoms

In most cases, ovarian cancer does not cause any symptoms, especially in the early stages. However, some of the symptoms that may be related to its development include constant pain in the belly and bleeding outside of menstruation.

Select what you are feeling to know your risk of having this type of cancer:

1. Constant pressure or pain in the abdomen, back or pelvic area Yes No
2. Swollen belly or full stomach feeling Yes No
3. Nausea or vomiting Yes No
4. Constipation or diarrhea Yes No
5. Frequent tiredness Yes No
6. Feeling of shortness of breath Yes No
7. Frequent urge to urinate Yes No
8. Irregular menstruation Yes No
9. Vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual period Yes No

In these cases it is recommended to consult the gynecologist as soon as possible to identify the cause of the symptoms and eliminate or confirm the cancer diagnosis.

When ovarian cancer is identified in the early stages, the chances of a cure are much higher and, therefore, it is important to be aware of these symptoms, especially when you are over 50 years old.

2. Make regular visits to the gynecologist

Regular visits to the gynecologist every 6 months is a great way to identify cancer in the ovaries before causing symptoms because, during these consultations, the doctor does a test, called a pelvic exam, in which she palpates the woman's abdomen and looks for changes in the shape and size of the ovaries.

Thus, if the doctor finds any changes that may indicate cancer, he can order more specific tests to confirm the diagnosis. These consultations, in addition to helping in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer can also help to identify changes in the uterus or tubes, for example.

3. Take preventive exams

Prevention exams are indicated for women at higher risk of developing cancer and are usually indicated by the gynecologist even when there are no symptoms. These tests typically include performing a transvaginal ultrasound to assess the shape and composition of the ovaries or a blood test, which helps detect the protein CA-125, a protein that is increased in cases of cancer.

Learn more about this blood test: CA-125 exam.

Who is at higher risk of having ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is more common in women aged 50 to 70 years, however it can occur at any age, especially in women who:

They got pregnant after the age of 35; They took hormonal drugs, especially to increase fertility; They have a family history of ovarian cancer; They have a history of breast cancer.

However, even with one or more risk factors, it is possible that the woman does not have cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Stages

After diagnosis and surgery to remove ovarian cancer the gynecologist will classify the cancer according to the affected organs:

Stage 1: cancer is found only in one or both ovaries; Stage 2: the cancer has spread to other parts of the pelvis Stage 3: the cancer has spread to other organs in the abdomen; Stage 4: The cancer has spread to other organs outside the abdomen.

The more advanced the stage of ovarian cancer is, the more difficult it will be to achieve complete cure of the disease.

How Ovarian Cancer Treatment Is Done

Treatment for ovarian cancer is usually guided by the gynecologist and begins with surgery to remove as many affected cells as possible and, therefore, varies according to the type of cancer and its severity.

Thus, if the cancer is not spread to other regions, it is possible to extract only the ovary and the fallopian tube on that side. However, in cases where the cancer has spread to other regions of the body, it may be necessary to remove the two ovaries, uterus, lymph nodes and other surrounding structures that may be affected.

After surgery, radiotherapy and / or chemotherapy can be indicated to destroy the remaining cancer cells that still remain, and if there are still many cancer cells left, it may be more difficult to achieve a cure.