The symptoms of ovarian cancer are fairly problematic to recognize regrettably. This is because they are similar to the indications of regular menstruation or menopause that many (or most) women experience frequently anyway. The chance that women who still menstruate have, is if they notice that some of the regular feelings are not quite right.
Menopausal women have a bigger problem because they are new to their condition and it is so erratic anyway. The indications of ovarian cancer include: abdominal pain, a feeling of being bloated, twinges and tiredness.
That is why it is so difficult to use these symptoms as predictors or ovarian cancer. However, if you have these indications at a time when you would not normally do so, or if they last longer than usual, then it would be worth checking with a doctor or your gynecologist.
If you are concerned, naturally, you will need to get a check up, but if you are ‘umming and ahhing’, try to find out whether someone in your family has had ovarian cancer before. There is a tendency for it to run in families, but that is a fact or most forms of cancer really.
However, if you are looking into your family’s history of cancer, bear in mind that cancer can out itself in different ways. for example, a man obviously cannot get ovarian cancer, but if your dad died of cancer you have an increased likelihood as well, albeit it in possibly another kind.
Age is another issue in the likelihood of someone having this form of cancer – the older the more likely to be expected. There is also another bizarre twist here. Women who have had a number of children are least at risk, women who have chosen not to have children are more at danger, and women who have always been incapable of having children are most at danger.
The fact is that this is such a difficult form of cancer to self-diagnose that it is scarcely worth the trouble. You have to listen to your body and trust your gut feelings. If all is not the same as you are used to, go and have a check up as soon as you can.
Apart from that, go for a ordinary check up anyway. Different countries have different recommendations, but whatever advice that your doctor or gynecologist gives you, you should follow. Ovarian cancer can be treated successfully and not only that but if it is caught early enough in young women, treatment does not necessarily mean loss of fertility.
So, the watchword is do not miss your check ups. Almost 75% of women who are diagnosed early can expect a full recovery. Young women have an even higher chance than older women, which means that older women ought to go for check ups more often than younger women.
Do not be apathetic about this form of cancer even though the symptoms of ovarian cancer are not simple to recognize, in fact that is a very good reason for you to let an expert check you out. The tests are not invasive and consist of merely a blood test and an ultra sound scan.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a number of topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more, please visit our web site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer