This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
Understanding Ovarian Cancer ¶
Published on October 26, 2019, ovarian cancer is a serious illness that affects millions of people worldwide. Recognizing its symptoms is crucial for early detection and treatment.
Cancer is an illness that has affected millions of people over the years and for this reason, there is great concern globally. The different types of cancer include ovarian, kidney, prostrate, and cancer of the bladder among others.
Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer ¶
When ovarian cancer develops, tumors begin to grow and take up some space in the abdomen, causing discomfort in the pelvic area. Patients may experience abdominal pressure and pain, which can be a major symptom of ovarian cancer.
- Abdominal pressure and pain
Another major symptom of ovarian cancer is unexplained weight loss. People who start feeling off realize that the weight loss is not triggered by an obvious reason. Generally, people lose weight for many other reasons. If someone loses a rapid amount of weight within a short period of time, and without any apparent reason, it’s best to consult a doctor.
- Rapid weight loss
Changes in menstrual patterns are also one of the main indicators of ovarian cancer. People who have the illness can notice changes in their cycles as well as in their flow. Usually, the flow becomes heavier than usual. This change can even force someone to buy more pads than they usually do because of the need to constantly change them.
- Menstrual changes
For women who have already reached menopausal stage, you should be concerned if you experience spotting and bleeding. This is unusual because the ovaries have stopped being fertile and therefore don’t produce hormones such as progesterone and estrogen that cause menstruation.
- Menopausal bleeding
Experiencing pain during intercourse is also one of the signs of ovarian cancer. Generally, sex that is painful is not a good sign at all. When cells in the ovary become cancerous, tumors begin to grow. When anything comes into contact with the tumors, they became painful and irritated.
- Painful sex
Ovarian cancer can affect the digestive functions of the body. People who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer have experienced different changes such as having the constant urge to urinate. These changes happen because the tumors have affected the bladder capacity causing someone to feel constantly pressed.
- Changes in bowel movements
Feeling tired occasionally is normal for anyone. However, when you are constantly tired and fatigued, or get tired easily, it could be a sign of ovarian cancer.
- Constant fatigue
