Pelvic, abdominal, or back
pain
Weight gain or weight loss
Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge (heavy menstrual flow or
menopausal bleeding)
Discomfort during sex
Frequent or intense need to urinate; burning sensation or spasms while
urinating
Feeling full even though you haven't eaten much
Vague gastro-intestinal problems, like gas, indigestion, loss of
appetite, bloating, nausea and vomiting, bloody stool, prolonged
constipation or diarrhoea
Unexplained increase in waistline
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
If you experience any of the above symptoms over two or
three weeks and if it gets worse with time, you should get yourself
tested for ovarian cancer. As these symptoms could be associated with
any other disease or minor ailment, it is impossible to diagnose
ovarian cancer on their merit alone. The doctor will conduct a pelvic
exam, an abdominal or vaginal ultrasound, and a blood test to check for
the presence of CA 125. None of these tests are conclusive in
themselves. But, a positive count on two or more of the tests should be
followed by a biopsy (laparotomy) or a laparoscopy to rule out or
diagnose ovarian cancer.
A very small percentage of women facing these symptoms
are diagnosed with the dreaded disease. And sometimes, women can reach
the very last stages of cancer with no symptoms at all. The best you
can do is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and undergo an annual
examination to catch the cancer before it metastasizes.
