Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Ovaries produce eggs which helps a woman to become pregnant. Ovary cancer is one of the most common cause of death among women with gynecological cancers. The most common reason for such high mortality is a late diagnosis of this disease. The disease has been labeled as Silent killer as the symptoms don't manifest till the disease has spread considerably or because the symptoms masquerade so much that it is often ignored by the patient and dismissed at the primary care physician.
Early diagnosis is of utmost importance in ovary cancer cases but unfortunately effective screening policies have not yet been made. So, the awareness is one important tool that is also needed from a woman’s point of view. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen.
Let’s look for the following symptoms or warning signals of ovary cancer:
- Progressive abdominal bloating or heaviness
- Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full when eating
- Discomfort in lower abdomen
- Pain during sexual activity
- Change in bladder or bowel habits such as constipation
- Low back pain
1. If the symptoms are new to a lady in the past 1 year
OR
