Ovarian cancer is a very serious disease which affects the female reproductive organs, and any ovarian cancer symptoms should be checked by a medical professional immediately. It is considered to be the fifth most fatal gynecologic cancer in the United States, so it is important to take it as seriously as it is. One of every 57 women may be diagnosed with this cancer at some point in her life, which means that women should take as many precautions as possible. Although cancer of the ovaries can be treated, it too often goes unnoticed, and women do not take action quickly enough. However, the ovarian cancer survival rate depends on which stage of the cancer a woman is in.
What women need to remember is that this specific cancer can come to women of any age. Just because you are young does not mean you are healthy enough to fight it off, and just because you have reached the age of 60 does not mean you are immune to ever being diagnosed. In fact, once a woman reaches the age of 50, she is actually more likely to contract ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms – What Are They?
Cancer of the ovaries is defined as the malignant growth of one or both of a woman’s ovaries. The ovary cells increase until they can not be controlled. These start to form benign or malignant tumors, and the malignant tumors cause cancer. There are several symptoms which come with this type of cancerous disease. These symptoms include pain in the abdomen and swelling because of the extra fluid in the abdominal cavity, and unusual bloating, which can also lead to digestive problems and trouble going to the bathroom. Nausea often occurs as well, which may lead the woman to believe she is simply ill with fever. Body aches, loss of appetite, weight gain or loss, and unusual pain during intercourse are a few other symptoms of ovarian cancer. The more intense the symptom, the higher the stage the woman is probably in. Stage 3 symptoms are going to be more intense than a woman who is only in stage 1. Ovarian cyst symptoms and even colon cancer symptoms can be the same as ovarian cancer symptoms as well.
Usually ovarian cancer symptoms are not seen until the cancer has been spread through the body. Since the survival rate is much higher when the woman is diagnosed early, it is important to be tested regularly to ensure the woman’s safety. It is dangerous when women see the doctor once they feel pain in the abdomen, because that means that the cancer has most likely spread further throughout the body. Once the cancer reaches the later stages, the survival rate goes way down. The way to be tested for it is to be screened by a doctor.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Need Immediate Attention
If a woman has ovarian cancer symptoms, she should see a doctor immediately. The longer she waits, the lower the survival rate will be. Too many women die because they simply did not see a doctor soon enough when they started to feel the symptoms of the disease. Once a woman is diagnosed, she can immediately start ovarian cancer treatment and watch as her survival rate goes up.
Video: Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
