Author：佚名 Source：none Hits：126 UpdateTime：2008-10-19 0:38:53
If a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer during the early stages of the disease, her survival rates are excellent (75%) - that means it's critical to keep an eye on potential ovarian cancer warning signs.
A woman's chances of survival are strong if the ovarian cancer is caught early, but approximately 75% of women are diagnosed after it has already spread beyond the ovaries, and this is when survival rates drop to only around 20 or 30 percent.
For an overview of some of the basic signs and symptoms associated with this disease, keep reading.
Abdominal Bloating
Constant and persistent bloating is often a clear indicator of ovarian cancer, especially if it's a significant change in a patient's bloating habits. So, if you've noticed an increase in how much and how often you're bloating, talk to you doctor.
Abdominal or Pelvic Pain
Abdominal and pelvic pain or chronic constipation is more common in women with ovarian cancer than those without.
Poor Appetite and Weight Loss
Like many cancer patients, one of the clearest ovarian cancer warning signs is a significantly decreased appetite, trouble eating and, subsequently, significant weight loss. Patients who often feel full after eating just a little bit of food or who have recently developed trouble eating should consult a doctor.
Urinary Dysfunction
Urinary incontinence and a frequent or urgent need to urinate are both common symptoms of ovarian cancer. Patients often compare these symptoms and warning signs to a painless urinary tract infection (UTI). That is, the increased need to urinate but without the burning or pain during urination often associated with a UTI.
Back Pain and General Fatigue
Because general fatigue and a dull, back pain are common symptoms for many women - often experienced a few days every month - it's hard for patients and doctors to associate them with possible ovarian cancer.
One clear indicator is if the symptoms are persistent and almost daily rather than restricted to a specific period. However, other symptoms should be present before the patient is screened for cancer.
Family History
If you know that your family has a history of ovarian cancer, it's important to tell your doctor and be screened or evaluated on an ongoing basis. Essentially, if one immediate family member or two members of your extended family have been diagnosed with the disease, then it could be a clear warning sign and an indicator that you need to watch out for possible symptoms.
The good news is that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce many of these warning signs, and early detection often results in a stronger prognosis. So, watch your body, be aware of changes and don't be afraid to consult with your physician.
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