posted
on 9/3/2021
in
BLOGS from St. Anthony
The most common and deadliest cancer in the female reproductive system is ovarian, with one out of six women being diagnosed at some point during their lifetime. Ovarian cancer only has a survival rate at 48.6%. The number of women diagnosed and dying from ovarian cancer are expected to be 21,750 and 13,940 respectively in 2020 (NCI's Surveillance). Oftentimes, the disease often goes undiagnosed until it has advanced.
Signs and Symptoms
There are several signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer that a woman may experience. If there is spread, then it can be more likely for the disease to cause them; however, even if early-stage ovarian cancer occurs, these might happen as well. Here are some common signs according to the American Cancer Society.
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal (belly) pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms such as urgency (always feeling like you have to go) or frequency (having to go often)
Some symptoms that are common in ovarian cancer can also be caused by benign diseases and other cancers. They tend to persist, often they get worse over time compared with normal periods where the same symptoms occur less frequently or aren't as severe. These types of symptoms probably indicate a different condition than ovarian cancer so if you experience these kinds of menstrual irregularities more than 12 times per month for three consecutive months it is best to see your doctor right away just in case there's an issue present that requires attention which could potentially save your life.
Others symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Upset stomach
- Back pain
- Pain during sex
- Constipation
- Changes in a woman's period, such as heavier bleeding than normal or irregular bleeding
- Abdominal (belly) swelling with weight loss
Receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is scary, and you are most likely worried about it and have a lot of questions. At St. Anthony Regional Hospital, we are here for you every step of the way. At St. Anthony Regional Hospital, we are committed to providing you what you need to improve and maintain your health. We serve you by working for our core values: Compassion, Responsibility, Responsiveness, Teamwork, Dignity & Respect, Integrity. Our patients see these words in action through the high quality care we provide from our experienced health care professionals. Learn more on our website or give us a call at 712-792-3581.
Sources:
https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month/
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/statistics/index.htm
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html