What Every Woman Needs To Know About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer - the cancer of ovaries has been known as a ‘silent killer' in the past because it's hard to diagnose. Its symptoms are:

• Persistent tummy or pelvic pain
• Increased tummy size or persistent bloating – not bloating that comes and goes
• Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly

Some women may also experience other symptoms like:

• The need to wee more frequently
• Changes in bowel habit
• Extreme fatigue or pain

If you have these symptoms more than 12 times in a month, you should seriously consider going to see your doctor.

According to the American Cancer Society about 1 in 75 women will get ovarian cancer in her lifetime, but young women are rarely affected. The risk escalates starting at age 63

Diagnosis of Ovarian cancer: It is often diagnosed at a late stage. Ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed when the cancer is already at an advanced stage and women often delay seeking help. This may be because the woman thinks her symptoms are due to menopause or confused with other common stomach and digestive complaints. Doctors also often initially suspect less serious causes for the symptoms, but the frequency of symptoms should help them know when to consider ovarian cancer, that is why using a symptom diary might be helpful.

Who are most at the risk?

Most women who develop ovarian cancer are over the age of 50 but it can affect women of all ages. There are certain factors that can increase your risk including smoking, being overweight, starting your periods early and having the menopause late.

What to do: Be healthy Overweight women (with a BMI of 30 or higher) are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than their thinner peers are. Consider it just another reason to watch what you eat and stick with an exercise plan. Also, ovarian cancer seems to be less common in women who have had children and breastfed their babies.