4 Early Signs of Ovarian Cancer
Off the "Heart" Track, But Important to Me
I've been meaning to write about ovarian cancer warning signs for some time, because too many people think that the symptoms are too vague to recognize, leading too many women to overlook symptoms that could signal this frequently deadly cancer.
Recently I came across references to a set of common symptoms that may suggest that ovarian cancer is present. These symptoms should be promptly discussed with a woman's health care provider. An expert panel, including individuals from the American Cancer Society, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists have published the following list of concerning symptoms:
Last year a patient in my primary care practice developed vaginal bleeding, even though it had been several years since her last menstrual period and we considered her to be post menopausal. She neglected to mention this bleeding for a while because a member of her family had told her that sometimes this "just happens." When she did tell me she also mentioned feeling full quickly while eating and some abdominal pain. My first thought was that she might have endometrial cancer, a cancer of the lining of the uterus, which commonly causes bleeding after menopause. Fortunately the uterine biopsy that we did was negative, but the nearly simultaneous ultrasound showed an ill-defined mass in her abdomen that prevented us from seeing her right ovary. We had accidentally found ovarian cancer together. She had surgery to remove her ovaries, uterus, and the grapefruit-sized tumor, and more than a year later she remains free of cancer.
Many women aren't so lucky. The abdomen is a fairly large open area (called a "potential space" because of its capacity) with the ability to stretch to accommodate a fairly large growth before it is noticed. This is because there are few nerve endings to pick up pain signals until a tumor is pressing against other organs that have these pain sensors. Once a tumor is this large, it will often have already spread to other organs, such as the stomach, liver and intestines.
The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 22,430 new cases of ovarian cancer in 2007 in the United States. While 93% of women diagnosed with early stage ovarian cancer will survive more than 5 years and many of them will be cured, only 19% of ovarian cancers are found at the early stage before they have spread to other organs. This results in ovarian cancer being the 5th leading cause of cancer death among women and it accounts for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproduction system.
The important thing for women to know is that they can really help their health care providers to detect ovarian cancer at an early stage, if they are suspicious about a certain pattern of symptoms. If you develop any of the symptoms described above, pay careful attention to their persistence, especially beyond an episode of treatment. Take those urinary symptoms for example. If you see your health care provider for symptoms that might be associated with a bladder infection and it is either not that, or it seems to be but you don't get better despite the right treatment, this warrants further investigation. Now think about bloating and abdominal pain. Many women have these symptoms with their menstrual cycles, but if your period comes and goes, and by the third week you are still feeling bloated or having pain, it needs to be evaluated further. Feeling full early into eating a meal is a big trigger for me. If I hear this complaint from a woman I consider ovarian cancer at the top of my list of potential diagnoses; you should too. If you have any family history of ovarian cancer you should really be on the lookout, and question early on if you have symptoms of concern.
Because ovarian cancer symptoms can be vague or mimic so many other things, it pays to be persistent if you are concerned. If you are not taken seriously seek a second opinion, preferably with an OB-GYN surgeon who is familiar with female cancers. Let your local medical community members think you are little nuts because you keep complaining about your symptoms until someone listens. If you are wrong - so what! If you are right, the life you save will be yours.
For more information:
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms May Begin Months Before Diagnosis
Hope for Earlier Detection?
Take care,
~Laurie
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: ovarian cancer, womens health
I've been meaning to write about ovarian cancer warning signs for some time, because too many people think that the symptoms are too vague to recognize, leading too many women to overlook symptoms that could signal this frequently deadly cancer.
Recently I came across references to a set of common symptoms that may suggest that ovarian cancer is present. These symptoms should be promptly discussed with a woman's health care provider. An expert panel, including individuals from the American Cancer Society, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists have published the following list of concerning symptoms:
- Bloating of the abdomen (anywhere between the bottom of the ribs and the area between the hip bones {pelvis}, from side to side).
- Pelvic or abdominal pain.
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly (also known as early satiety).
- Urinary symptoms as might also be experienced with bladder infection, such as urinating more frequently, having to go urgently, or having pain with urination.
Last year a patient in my primary care practice developed vaginal bleeding, even though it had been several years since her last menstrual period and we considered her to be post menopausal. She neglected to mention this bleeding for a while because a member of her family had told her that sometimes this "just happens." When she did tell me she also mentioned feeling full quickly while eating and some abdominal pain. My first thought was that she might have endometrial cancer, a cancer of the lining of the uterus, which commonly causes bleeding after menopause. Fortunately the uterine biopsy that we did was negative, but the nearly simultaneous ultrasound showed an ill-defined mass in her abdomen that prevented us from seeing her right ovary. We had accidentally found ovarian cancer together. She had surgery to remove her ovaries, uterus, and the grapefruit-sized tumor, and more than a year later she remains free of cancer.
Many women aren't so lucky. The abdomen is a fairly large open area (called a "potential space" because of its capacity) with the ability to stretch to accommodate a fairly large growth before it is noticed. This is because there are few nerve endings to pick up pain signals until a tumor is pressing against other organs that have these pain sensors. Once a tumor is this large, it will often have already spread to other organs, such as the stomach, liver and intestines.
The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 22,430 new cases of ovarian cancer in 2007 in the United States. While 93% of women diagnosed with early stage ovarian cancer will survive more than 5 years and many of them will be cured, only 19% of ovarian cancers are found at the early stage before they have spread to other organs. This results in ovarian cancer being the 5th leading cause of cancer death among women and it accounts for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproduction system.
The important thing for women to know is that they can really help their health care providers to detect ovarian cancer at an early stage, if they are suspicious about a certain pattern of symptoms. If you develop any of the symptoms described above, pay careful attention to their persistence, especially beyond an episode of treatment. Take those urinary symptoms for example. If you see your health care provider for symptoms that might be associated with a bladder infection and it is either not that, or it seems to be but you don't get better despite the right treatment, this warrants further investigation. Now think about bloating and abdominal pain. Many women have these symptoms with their menstrual cycles, but if your period comes and goes, and by the third week you are still feeling bloated or having pain, it needs to be evaluated further. Feeling full early into eating a meal is a big trigger for me. If I hear this complaint from a woman I consider ovarian cancer at the top of my list of potential diagnoses; you should too. If you have any family history of ovarian cancer you should really be on the lookout, and question early on if you have symptoms of concern.
Because ovarian cancer symptoms can be vague or mimic so many other things, it pays to be persistent if you are concerned. If you are not taken seriously seek a second opinion, preferably with an OB-GYN surgeon who is familiar with female cancers. Let your local medical community members think you are little nuts because you keep complaining about your symptoms until someone listens. If you are wrong - so what! If you are right, the life you save will be yours.
For more information:
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms May Begin Months Before Diagnosis
Hope for Earlier Detection?
Take care,
~Laurie
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: ovarian cancer, womens health
13 Comments:
I have a question:
Since belly fat is a big risk factor for heart disease would getting a tummy tuck greatly improve the risk for one who has this done?
Abdominal fat is a sign of a set of risk factors that increase one's chances of getting heart disease. Belly fat is a "symptom" if you will of a sedentary lifestyle, increased insulin resistance, and lack of exericse. SO no, removing abdominal fat by liposuction won't change the risk of developing heart disease. Removing it by changing the diet and exericse will.
I was told something very very stressful and ate nothing for 2-3 days (drank very little). I gradually started eating and drinking, but not my usual. A week later, I started spotting, then it became a little heavier with some small blood clotsand stringy. The color is a brownish color (like I'm at the end of my period) and twice with some bright pink. I'm not supposed to start for another 2 weeks. What could be wrong? Stress? Thank you!
another nanonymosus said... I was suppose to start my period on the 19th of December and instead 7 days after I started spotting brownish color as well, never needing a full pad, just a panty liner. I'm a 27 dayer religiously. I'm also 42 years old. I disscontinued taking zanax after using for 4 years, I gradually got off zanax with my physicians help. So Im wondering also is it possible my body is wigging out because of that? Or a sign of something else?? It's scary when things happen strange to our bodies...out of the norm.....
Moderate Pelvic Pain and mild pain with intercourse, mild constipation for 12 months Ultrasound last month showed "probable hemmorragic Cyst" on my right ovary which GYN said was just a functional cyst but we would do ultrasound this month to recheck. Pain increased, second pelvic exam last week-laparoscopy discussed for removal of adhesions from two previous c-sections and check for endometreosis. After exam, nausea began, watery mouth , loss of appetite, long story short ended up in ER to rule out appendicitis. No infection, had CT, additional Complex Cyst on other ovary which ER said needed to be checked, GYN said "just a functional monthly cyst". Primary care gave me Nexium for teh nausea, not working. Going on 8 days of these new symptoms and my laparascopy is not scheduled until March 4, 7 weeks from now, no CA 125 test offered. I am concerned that she does not feel any urgency in testing this. A lot can grow in 7 weeks and I still feel like crap with pelvic pain, nausea etc...
My question, Do I ask my Primary Care to send my test results to another GYN to get a second opinion if it is safe to wait the 7 weeks for surgery?????
wmvhj
I haven't had my period in about 7-8 weeks and I am on birthcontrol, so I am always pretty regular. I decided to take a pregnancy test when I was about 1-2 weeks late and it came back negative. I took a few more and another one was negative and the last two I took were positive. All the signs point that I am pregnant...sore breast,lactating, bloating in lower belly, no period, back pain. I got a blood test from my physician to be sure and to my suprise it came back negative. Could it be wrong? My blood type is O negative, Rh negative, also I have had one prior miscarriage, could these be factors? What could be wrong?
how soon should you wait to go to the doctor? i have an appointment 2days from now, should i wait or should i go to the hospital right now?!
I am 44 yrs old and i missed this month period . but i have lower back pain like if I gonna start but nothing yet. could i have missed my period due to stress, i've had so much happening this past month.
I'm 25 years old, and I have been getting my periods about a week or two earlier than usual. I have frequent sharp pains on both sides of my pelvis, UTI symptoms, and have harsh PMS as well. I don't have insurance, so I have delayed visiting the doctor. Btw, I have had abnormal paps in the past. Does this sound like cancer?
Debbie...
I have a appointment in two weeks with a cancer specialist. My doctor told me it could be ovarian cancer. I had a CAT scan which found a couple of cysts in an ovary and my level in my blood was a 39. I am having problems with my left arm. It has been feeling like it falls asleep and my fingers tingle. My right knee is suddenly hurting and my left shoulder hurts to the point that sometimes I have to grab it with my left hand to move it from a frozen position.
Are any of these symptoms something to worry about or can I wait the couple of weeks to see the specialist?
I am 53 years old and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. No signs that you were describing, however I had a blood clot in February 2008. Questions were: birth control - no; hormone replacement - no; no long plane, train or car ride. Other causes: cancer. No one bothered to suggest a Ca-125.
Had a pap with clear resulsts. I did report to my primary that I had stopped my period 5 years ago. She asked me about unusual bleeding, and like one of you other posters, didn't consider a few spots anything other than an inconvenience. She ordered an ultrasound and once there, the tech called the office for a transvaginal immediately which found a 2.5 cm spot on the left ovary. Went for an MRI 3 weeks later and it had grown to 7 cm. Sent to a wonderfuly Gyn/Onc who I saw on a Friday and he scehduled me for the hospital Monday. If I had the Ca-125 back in February, my staging could have been a lot better.
i am sixteen, and have not had a real period in about eight months. when something does come, it is brown, and lasts for about a day. this has happened twice.i have now developed a bloated feeling that has lasted about two days. i'm very tiny, and wasn't worried about it till recently- my grandmother just passed from ovarian cancer. i'm not sure what to do, and i'm a bit scared. am i over exaggerating?
I'm 19 years old and have had some problems. I've been diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection almsot everytime I go to the doctor since December 06. This totals about 12 or 13 of them now. I've never been pregnant and have been tested for any STDs and it came up negative. I've had an ultrasound on both kidneys and my gallbladder, a liver function test, and a test for beginning stages of ulcers and there has been nothing that has shown up. Though ovary problems don't run in my family I've got all but one symptom of ovarian cysts and just about everything for ovarian cancer descibes what's going on. I urinate more frequently and my periods have not been regular for the past 4 months (when the pains and everything started getting worse) and I've had abdominal pains that can get so bad that I fall to my knees crying. I get so dizzy that I can't see 5 ft in front of me and I am almost ALWAYS weak. I've told the doctor of this and they just keep giving me antibiotics and pain medicine, in which my body is rejecting. I get nauseated so easily that looking at food sometimes makes me want to get sick! What should I do if my doctor can't figure it out?
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