Symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
- lower abdominal discomfort, possibly including pain during intercourse
- vaginal bleeding
- sense of pelvic heaviness
- irregular or abnormal menstrual cycle
- weight gain or loss
- digestive problems, such as increased gas, nausea, vomiting, bloating, indigestion or lack of appetite
- increased abdominal girth
- excessive fatigue
Knowledge is the key to prevention. Although your doctor performs exams, reads results, and prescribes medication, only you know how you truly feel. Being aware of your body and its symptoms, and in turn articulating those symptoms will help you to communicate with your doctor and enable him or her to do their most important job (taking care of you) better. Don’t wait in silence for the whispering disease. Defy it with your knowledge.
If you experience one or more of the aforementioned symptoms for more than two or three weeks, contact your doctor and ask for a combination pelvic exam, rectal exam, CA 125 blood test, and a transvaginal ultrasound.
