Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
By Jeanette Pollock
Cancer of the ovary, a disease affecting one of both of the
ovaries, is one of the most serious and under-recognized
ailments affecting women. In United States, it is considered as
the fifth among the most fatal gynecologic cancers (affecting
the female reproductive organs). It is said that in every 57
women, one may be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and almost half
of those women diagnosed with the said cancer may die in a span
of five years.
Ovarian Cancer: Overview
Ovarian cancer is characterized by the malignant growth of one
or of the two ovaries. The cells in the ovary multiply
progressively and abnormally to the point that they can no
longer be controlled. As a result, excessive tissues start to
form tumors, which may be benign or malignant. The malignant
ones are those that cause cancer.
The growth of the tumor may not necessarily start from the
ovary or the ovaries, but may have spread to the ovary from
other parts of the body, oftentimes the breast. The malignant
tumor in the ovary may likewise spread to other parts of the
body. The most common cases of ovarian cancer arise from
epithelial cancer, which affect the epithelial cells (cells
found in the tissues covering surfaces of the ovary).
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
It is important for women to be aware of the nature and
symptoms of ovarian cancer as this deadly cancer can affect
women of any age. However, women face higher risk of ovarian
cancer as she gets older, particularly after she reaches the age
of fifty.
Most of the time, the symptoms of ovarian cancer do not show up
until the cancer is widespread or in its advanced stage. This
makes a woman at higher risk since it can be too late before she
may be able to detect symptoms of ovarian cancer. Moreover,
there are only very few symptoms of the cancer, which may be
mistaken as symptoms of other health conditions.
The very first symptom of ovarian cancer is vague abdominal
discomfort and bloating, which is caused by the excess fluid in
the abdominal cavity. One always feels full even when she has
not eaten much. As time passes by the swelling of the abdomen
intensifies that some of your clothes may no longer fit you.
Usually, it is because of this unusual swelling (way different
from a woman’s monthly water retention) that most women go to
the doctor for check up.
Bloating is accompanied by digestive disturbances, unexplained
changes in the bowel habits and urinary patterns. There are
frequent trips to the bathroom even in the absence of a urinary
tract infection or other health problems. One may feel nauseous,
very tired and she may feel like vomiting at times. She may also
feel discomfort and pain during an intercourse.
Pain and swelling in the pelvic area is also noticeable upon
closer physical examination. This is due to the swelling in the
pelvis. In very rare instances, a woman in her postmenopausal
stage experiences abnormal bleeding.
Other vague and non-specific symptoms of ovarian cancer include
back and leg pain, loss of appetite, undernourished appearance,
weight gain or weigh loss, and unusual bleeding in the vagina
(heavier and longer than the usual menstrual bleeding).
Detecting Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Screening is a way to detect the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
The earlier the patient is screened, the better so as to
decrease the mortality and morbidity of ovarian cancer. One of
the most effective ways to detect the cancer in its early stage
is through pelvic and rectal exam.
About the Author: Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and
website owner of http://www.ovariancancerdomain.com. Visit
Jeanette's site to learn more about ovarian cancer symptoms.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
By Jeanette Pollock
Cancer of the ovary, a disease affecting one of both of the
ovaries, is one of the most serious and under-recognized
ailments affecting women. In United States, it is considered as
the fifth among the most fatal gynecologic cancers (affecting
the female reproductive organs). It is said that in every 57
women, one may be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and almost half
of those women diagnosed with the said cancer may die in a span
of five years.
Ovarian Cancer: Overview
Ovarian cancer is characterized by the malignant growth of one
or of the two ovaries. The cells in the ovary multiply
progressively and abnormally to the point that they can no
longer be controlled. As a result, excessive tissues start to
form tumors, which may be benign or malignant. The malignant
ones are those that cause cancer.
The growth of the tumor may not necessarily start from the
ovary or the ovaries, but may have spread to the ovary from
other parts of the body, oftentimes the breast. The malignant
tumor in the ovary may likewise spread to other parts of the
body. The most common cases of ovarian cancer arise from
epithelial cancer, which affect the epithelial cells (cells
found in the tissues covering surfaces of the ovary).
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
It is important for women to be aware of the nature and
symptoms of ovarian cancer as this deadly cancer can affect
women of any age. However, women face higher risk of ovarian
cancer as she gets older, particularly after she reaches the age
of fifty.
Most of the time, the symptoms of ovarian cancer do not show up
until the cancer is widespread or in its advanced stage. This
makes a woman at higher risk since it can be too late before she
may be able to detect symptoms of ovarian cancer. Moreover,
there are only very few symptoms of the cancer, which may be
mistaken as symptoms of other health conditions.
The very first symptom of ovarian cancer is vague abdominal
discomfort and bloating, which is caused by the excess fluid in
the abdominal cavity. One always feels full even when she has
not eaten much. As time passes by the swelling of the abdomen
intensifies that some of your clothes may no longer fit you.
Usually, it is because of this unusual swelling (way different
from a woman’s monthly water retention) that most women go to
the doctor for check up.
Bloating is accompanied by digestive disturbances, unexplained
changes in the bowel habits and urinary patterns. There are
frequent trips to the bathroom even in the absence of a urinary
tract infection or other health problems. One may feel nauseous,
very tired and she may feel like vomiting at times. She may also
feel discomfort and pain during an intercourse.
Pain and swelling in the pelvic area is also noticeable upon
closer physical examination. This is due to the swelling in the
pelvis. In very rare instances, a woman in her postmenopausal
stage experiences abnormal bleeding.
Other vague and non-specific symptoms of ovarian cancer include
back and leg pain, loss of appetite, undernourished appearance,
weight gain or weigh loss, and unusual bleeding in the vagina
(heavier and longer than the usual menstrual bleeding).
Detecting Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Screening is a way to detect the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
The earlier the patient is screened, the better so as to
decrease the mortality and morbidity of ovarian cancer. One of
the most effective ways to detect the cancer in its early stage
is through pelvic and rectal exam.
About the Author: Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and
website owner of http://www.ovariancancerdomain.com. Visit
Jeanette's site to learn more about ovarian cancer symptoms.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=90028&ca=Womens+Interest
To learn about ovarian cancer treatment options read the article "Ovarian Cancer Treatment" http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2010/01/ovarian-cancer-treatment.html
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