Paying Attention to Symptoms
- Ovarian cancer is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the lack of obvious symptoms
- Symptoms are often subtle, such as bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain
- No perfect screening tests are available for women at average risk for the disease
- Speak to your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than one week
The diagnosis of ovarian cancer is often delayed because its symptoms can be subtle and nonspecific. In fact, many of the symptoms mimic those that women often experience in everyday life, and that can be attributed to any number of other conditions or health problems. That’s why it’s so important for women to be on the lookout for common symptoms like these:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Quickly feeling full when eating
Warning Signs
The majority of women with ovarian cancer complain of feeling early satiety, which essentially means that they quickly begin to feel full when eating a meal. Nausea, vomiting, and bloating are also commonly reported by patients. "It's not uncommon for me to ask a patient if her pants still fit her and she states that they’re not fitting; that she’s gone to an elastic waistband," says Dr. Resnick. Women may also notice that they are gaining weight in their abdomen, even though they are losing weight in their face and neck. And they may find that their legs are getting extremely swollen. Other common signs include pain, and possibly changes in bathroom habits.These symptoms have all been reported by patients who come to the clinic and are subsequently diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer, says Dr. Resnick.
No Screening Tests
Unlike some other types of cancer, such as breast cancer and colon cancer, there aren’t any routine screening tests for ovarian cancer. At the present time, there are no simple and reliable methods available that can screen for ovarian cancer in women who do not have any signs or symptoms. "We don’t have an inexpensive, easily reproducible test that we can use to prevent this disease," says Dr. Resnick.
In fact, if a woman doesn't have any symptoms and is not at high risk for a hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome, current recommendations say that she should not get screened. This is an across the board consensus from major medical groups and public health organizations such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Cancer Society.
Screening of women who are at an average risk for the disease may do more harm than good, as it can lead to more testing or even unnecessary surgery. However, it is recommended that women who are at a high risk for ovarian cancer due to an inherited genetic syndrome consider getting screened.
There are tests that doctors use when they suspect a patient might have ovarian cancer, and for those who have a genetic predisposition to this cancer. These include the transvaginal ultrasound, which is an ultrasound of the female genital organs that is done internally, and a blood test called CA-125, which tests for a marker that is elevated in women with ovarian cancer. However, these are not true screening tests for ovarian cancer.
"These are tests we may use in a patient in whom we have a high suspicion of cancer, or in patients who have a genetic predisposition to the disease," says Dr. Resnick. "But these are not screening tests to use in everyday women who walk into the office with abdominal cramps."
Be An Advocate
The most valuable thing to tell a patient, says Dr. Resnick, is to be an advocate for yourself and trust your body. "You know your body better than anyone does, and better than any physician will probably ever know," she says. "So trust your body and listen to your symptoms."
If your symptoms have persisted for more than a week, see your doctor. And if your doctor isn’t taking your symptoms seriously or can’t find a cause for them, you have the right to seek out a second opinion. Keep pushing for a diagnosis until you get one that adequately addresses your symptoms.
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