This Teal Ribbon Day, we want to raise awareness around the early signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer.
Often known as the silent killer due to the symptoms of ovarian cancer being much the same as those caused by less serious medical conditions. It’s also important to note that early-stage ovarian cancer rarely causes any symptoms, hence by the time you develop any signs and are diagnosed the cancer will have progressed to an advanced stage.
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer
The most reported symptoms of ovarian cancer are
- Bloating
- Pelvic/abdominal pain
- Feeling full after eating a small amount
- Feeling the urge to urinate often and urgently
Other symptoms to look out for include:
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Changes in bowel habits
- Back pain
- Excessive fatigue
- Pain during sex
- Sudden weight loss
- Unexplained sudden changes to your menstrual cycle (bleeding during periods or after menopause).
Causes and risk factors of ovarian cancer
Whilst the true cause(s) of ovarian cancer is not known, there are a few factors that can increase the chances.
- Increasing age: whilst ovarian cancer can happen at any age, one of the major risk factors is ageing. With the average age of diagnosis being 64.
- Hereditary: for instance, if you have a strong history of ovarian or breast cancer within the family
- Gene mutations: having inherited faulty gene mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy: especially with long-term use and high dosages.
- Smoking: along with other health issues and cancers, this increases the chances of ovarian cancer.
- Not having children: women who have not had children can be at a slightly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
When to see a doctor
While less serious conditions can cause many of the mentioned symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice from your doctor if any of the symptoms persist. This will allow your doctor to carry out the necessary tests to determine what is going on.
If you have any of the above persistent symptoms and are concerned, contact our friendly staff at Wollongong Obstetrics and Gynaecology to book an appointment with Dr Kothari. Our team will support you every step of the way