Could Difficulty Eating or Feeling Full Quickly Be a Sign of Ovarian Cancer?
Hello, friend.
As someone who has experienced the challenges of ovarian cancer firsthand, I understand the importance of recognizing and understanding the symptoms associated with this disease. In this blog post, we will explore the symptom of difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, shedding light on how to spot this symptom, how it might show up, what steps to take if you suspect you have this symptom, and why ovarian cancer can cause it. By providing you with this knowledge, we hope to empower you to take proactive measures in managing your health.
Are Difficulty Eating or Feeling Full Quickly Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
If you’re wondering this, I’d assume this is something you or someone you know has been experiencing. You’re probably a bit worried. I am sorry you’re having to go through that. Let's address the question together more specifically:
Have you noticed a significant change in your ability to eat a normal-sized meal?
Do you experience a feeling of fullness or discomfort even after consuming small amounts of food?
Have you unintentionally lost weight due to reduced appetite or difficulty eating?
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly can be symptoms of ovarian cancer. If you are experiencing these symptoms persistently (meaning the symptoms don’t go away) and they are unrelated to other causes that you know of, it is important to discuss them with your healthcare professional for further evaluation.
You might wonder if I experienced this symptom. I did not. I never had difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. I DID have the characteristic abdominal bloating after eating meals that is another symptom of ovarian cancer, but I didn’t struggle to eat. This just demonstrates how individual each cancer is and the symptoms people experience. That said, just because I didn’t have this symptom doesn’t mean it’s no big deal if you do. Anytime something in your body changes persistently (doesn’t go away) or progressively (gets worse) you want to go see your doctor.
What can be CONFUSING though, is WHICH DOCTORS to see? It would make total sense if you just went to see a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in digestion) because you think that is the issue. But it’s always important AS A WOMAN to ALSO SEE YOUR OB/GYN!!! I tell women this all the time. When something is happening inside your belly area, go see your OB/GYN too because the issue could be gynecologic.
Keep in mind that even if the cause is not a cancer, it may be something else that needs addressed. You could have another issue or problem that is causing you to have difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. This is especially problematic if you’re losing weight because of it as that’s not healthy. Even if you (as many women do) LIKE the idea of losing weight, you never want to lose weight due to a disease or illness. This means you’re not getting enough/healthy nutrition which can have a cascade of consequences. So whether it is caused by cancer or not, this symptom is concerning enough that you should see doctors to find out what’s going on.
How Does Ovarian Cancer Cause Difficulty Eating or Feeling Full Quickly?
You might wonder why ovarian cancer could have any impact on your ability to eat or how full you feel. That’s understandable. They don’t seem related. Let’s get into this so you can understand. It’s important to understand because it makes you question yourself less and be more likely to take action and see the doctor. There are several different ways ovarian cancer can lead to impacts on your eating habits or feelings of fullness:
Tumor Growth: Ovarian tumors can affect the digestive system by pressing against the stomach or other organs, leading to a decreased capacity for food intake.
Quite simply (and I experienced this with my bloating response), there is a growth happening in an area with a lot of organs pressed together. That growth SQUISHES the other organs because it takes up space. Depending on where it’s growing, the tumor can press against your stomach or intestines and cause your stomach to essentially feel smaller or full already even when you haven’t eaten or haven’t eaten much. Pretty simple.
Ascites:: Ovarian cancer can cause a buildup of fluid in the abdomen, a condition known as ascites (pronounced uh-sy-tees). This fluid buildup can create a feeling of fullness and contribute to difficulty eating.
Just like having a tumor SQUISHING your stomach or other organs, a bunch of fluid in your abdomen will put pressure on those organs which could lead you to feel full when you haven’t eaten or haven’t eaten much.
Hormonal and Metabolic Changes: Ovarian cancer can disrupt hormone levels and metabolic processes, which may impact appetite and digestion.
Some ovarian tumors can change your hormones. Mine did. A SCTAT tumor (my type, very rare), causes increased levels of both estrogen and progesterone. These can cause all kinds of strange things in the body, which could include appetite.
It is essential to communicate your symptoms to your healthcare team, as they can provide appropriate guidance and support.
What Should You Do If You Are Having Difficulty Eating or Feeling Full Quickly?
If you suspect that you are experiencing difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, take the following steps:
Consult a Healthcare Professional: Reach out to your doctors and describe your symptoms in detail. They can perform a thorough evaluation and order appropriate tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.
The obvious place to start is to get an appointment with your OB/GYN as soon as possible. Now, I know as well as every other woman that getting an appointment with your OB/GYN quickly can be a challenge. But THIS IS DIFFERENT! This is not your annual. This is not something minor. This is a serious concern. Make sure the folks who set appointments are aware that you have a serious concern and need the earliest appointment they can give you.
You may also want to see your primary care physician and a gastroenterologist with this kind of symptom. Especially if you go to the OB/GYN and they rule out a gynecologic issue. Obviously this symptom could be serious so you want to get to the bottom of it. Make sure you keep seeing doctors until you have some reasonable answers.
But ALWAYS see your OB/GYN. I went to gastroenterologists with my abdominal bloating and they told me, “nonspecific IBS” and that was it. So nothing that really identified the cause or resolved the issue. It wasn’t until I saw my OB/GYN months and months later that my cancer was discovered.
Nutritional Support: Work with a registered dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in cancer care. They can offer guidance on managing your diet and provide strategies to ensure you receive adequate nutrition despite the challenges.
Once you’ve learned the cause of your issue, it’s possible you’ll need nutritional support until the issue is properly resolved. If you aren’t eating enough, you may not be getting enough of necessary vitamins, minerals, or calories.
Emotional Support: Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly can be emotionally distressing. Seek support from loved ones, support groups, or mental health professionals who can provide guidance and understanding.
This kind of goes without saying. Any time you have a medical issue that takes away from quality of life, regardless of cause, you may need emotional support to deal with anxiety and depression, particularly if the issue can’t be resolved quickly or has a distressing cause like cancer.
Remember that timely medical attention and emotional support are key components of your overall well-being.
Conclusion
Recognizing the symptom of difficulty eating or feeling full quickly is crucial for early detection and management of ovarian cancer. If you experience persistent difficulties with eating or feeling full, consult your healthcare professional for further evaluation. This blog post aims to provide information and support, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Reach out to your healthcare team for personalized guidance and care.
References:
American Cancer Society. (2021). Ovarian Cancer Early Detection. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html
Mayo Clinic. (2022). Ovarian Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20375941
