Wellness & Education

Signs of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. It also accounts for 1 in 20 cancer-related deaths.  Women who have it are usually diagnosed between the ages of 55 and 64. 

Barriers to Early Diagnosis
The ovaries are two small organs located near the uterus. Unlike cervical cancer, which is detected with a pap test, there is no simple or reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. In addition, its signs and symptoms are often ignored in the early stages. For this reason, most diagnoses occur in the later stages, when treatment is less likely to be successful.  

Signs and Symptoms
It’s important for women to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. These include:  

  • Bloating 
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain or pressure 
  • Trouble eating or feeling full quickly 
  • Feeling the need to urinate frequently or often 
  • Back pain 
  • Constipation  
  • Vaginal bleeding (especially for women in menopause) or an abnormal vaginal discharge 

When abnormal vaginal bleeding occurs, a healthcare provider should be consulted immediately. A provider should also be consulted if one or more of the other symptoms persists for more than two weeks.   

Diagnosis
There is no screening test for ovarian cancer. Aids to diagnosing it include: 

  • A vaginal exam 
  • A vaginal ultrasound known as transvaginal sonography 
  • The CA-125 blood test, which detects elevated levels of a protein that may indicate the presence of ovarian cancer cells.  

Unfortunately, these tests are not always reliable.  If they indicate the possibility of ovarian cancer, however, a CT scan can be conducted. The only way to conclusively diagnose ovarian cancer is by examining a sample of tumor tissue taken during a biopsy.  

Risk Factors
The cause of ovarian cancer is not yet understood. What Causes Ovarian Cancer | How Do You Get Ovarian Cancer

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of getting ovarian cancer, include:  

  • Being middle-aged or older 
  • Having a close female relative, on either parent’s side, who has had ovarian cancer 
  • Having a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation. 
  • Having already had cancer of the breast, colon or uterus 
  • Being of Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish background 
  • Having endometriosis 
  • Never having given birth or having had difficulties becoming pregnant.
  • Obesity  
  • Fertility treatments
  • Taking estrogen without progesterone for 10 years or longer

Listen to Your Body
The more familiar a woman is with her own body, the more likely she is to recognize changes that could indicate the presence of ovarian cancer. Women who experience any of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer should take these changes seriously and seek medical attention. 

RMH Sheehan Cancer Center: 765-932-7534