Ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose at an early stage. There is no real screening test for early detection, and the symptoms are often vague and easily mistaken for common GI issues like constipation or bloating.
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be informed. Knowing the warning signs and risk factors for ovarian cancer is our best defense against the disease.
Ovarian cancer symptoms
Pelvic exams are important to a woman's health, but unfortunately, most early-stage ovarian tumors are hard to feel. Specialists use screening tests such as Pap smears and ultrasounds in routine gynecological check-ups, but unfortunately ovarian cancer is imperceptible with these tests.
Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed when a woman has an ultrasound or CT scan to look for other problems. All of this means that diagnosis often comes late, when the cancer has advanced and possibly spread to other parts of the body.
While many warning signs can be caused by non-cancerous conditions, if you experience any of these common ovarian cancer symptoms and they occur frequently or more severely than normal, see one of our prominent gynecologists from Clínica del Carmen in Gran Canaria:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain.
- Abdominal distension.
- Difficulty eating/loss of hunger.
- Feeling full after eating only small amounts of food (early satiety).
- Urinary urgency or frequency.
- Fatigue
- Stomachache.
- Back pain.
- painful sex
- Constipation
- Changes in your period, such as heavier or irregular bleeding.
- Abdominal swelling with weight loss.
Risk factor's:
The overall risk of developing ovarian cancer throughout a woman's lifetime is relatively low. Slightly more than 1% of women with no significant family history or additional risk factors are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer occurs more often in women after menopause, and the chance increases with age. A high percentage of ovarian cancer occurs in women 63 years of age or older. Other factors that can increase the risk are:
- Obesity or overweight.
- Having the first child after the age of 35 or never carrying the pregnancy to term.
- Use of hormone replacement therapy after menopause.
- Family history of ovarian, breast, endometrial, or colorectal cancer.
- Inherited gene mutations that have been linked to cancers, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, Lynch syndrome, and others.
- Personal history of breast cancer.
- Smoking can increase the cancer risk for some types of cancer.
- Fertility treatment with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Hormone replacement therapy.
Factors that can reduce the risk:
Women with a lower risk of ovarian cancer include those who:
- Giving birth before the age of 26 (the risk is further reduced with each subsequent full-term pregnancy).
- Breast-feed.
- Take oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
- Using an IUD (intrauterine device) in the short term.
- Undergoing pelvic surgeries such as tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or ovary removal.
Genetic testing and ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer can be hereditary. Women with a family history of cancer or hereditary syndromes can consult our gynecologists at Clínica del Carmen for genetic counseling or testing.
Genetic testing is also important after an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Genetic tests to detect mutations are BRCA1 (breast cancer gene 1) or BRCA2, which are related to ovarian cancer and can be hereditary.
Don't forget your regular reviews!
In addition to getting an annual pelvic exam and learning the risk factors and symptoms of ovarian cancer, trust your gut. You know your body, if something feels wrong, consult with our specialists.
En Carmen Clinic in Gran Canaria, our specialists provide careful treatment. We have 3 offices to serve you closer to you: Arucas, Vecindario and Las Palmas. Request your appointment today. You will be in the best hands.
Recent comments