Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a significant threat to women's health that could become even more prevalent in the decades to come. According to the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women across the globe. That could change in the years to come, as 2022 projections from the Global Cancer Observatory estimate that the number of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will increase by more than 55 percent by 2050.

Ovarian cancer is not always easy to detect. In fact, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition® notes that the location of the ovaries, which are deep within the abdominal cavity, might be why the disease is so difficult to detect. The NOCC also notes signs of ovarian cancer can be mistaken for other health issues, which underscores the significance of learning the symptoms of the disease. Such knowledge may increase the chances that symptoms are not mistaken as something less serious than ovarian cancer, which the WOCC notes claims the lives of more than 200,000 women across the globe each year.

Some signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be subtle, which can make it easy to overlook them. However, women should report any of the following signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer to their physicians immediately.

Common symptoms

The NOCC notes some symptoms of ovarian cancer are common. Such symptoms include:

· Bloating: Women may notice swelling in the lower pelvis or abdomen. In addition, clothes around the waist may feel tighter than normal.

· Pain: Ovarian cancer can contribute to pain in the pelvic or abdominal region. Women also may experience back pain as a result of ovarian cancer.

· Difficulty eating: Women may feel full after eating just a few bites of food. Many women with ovarian cancer also experience a loss of appetite.

· Frequent urination: Women may feel a need to urinate more frequently.

Less common symptoms

Women can experience a range of symptoms when they develop ovarian cancer, though some are less common. It's important that women recognize that less common symptoms of ovarian cancer are not less threatening than those experienced more broadly. Any of these less common symptoms should be brought to the immediate attention of a physician:

· Pain during sex: Discomfort or pain during sex is a potential indicator of ovarian cancer.

· Back pain: This pain is most likely to affect the lower back, according to the NOCC.

· Fatigue: As is the case with other types of cancer, ovarian cancer can make women feel more tired than usual. Women also may notice feelings of fatigue occur more often than is otherwise normal.

· Menstrual changes: Additional bleeding and vaginal discharges are some of the changes to a woman's monthly menstrual cycle that may indicate the presence of ovarian cancer.

· Upset stomach, heartburn or constipation: Women may experience diarrhea or changes in their bowel habits. A greater urgency to visit the restroom and painful bowel movements are possible.

Ovarian cancer cases are expected to rise in the coming decades. Women can learn more about the disease at ovarian.org and worldovariancancercoalition.org.