Can Ovarian Cancer Cause a Constipation or Diarrhea?
Dear, friend.
In our continued journey of exploring ovarian cancer symptoms, it is crucial to shed light on the lesser-known symptom of changes in bowel function, such as constipation or diarrhea.
Yep. I know that talking about poop is NO ONE’s idea of a good time. Well, no one over the age of six.
But ovarian cancer is often called the “silent killer” because it’s so hard to recognize the symptoms that it’s often caught very late, when it’s harder for a patient to win the battle. Which is why today we are going to talk POOP and be proud about it. If talking poop is gonna save your life, IMMA TALK POOP.
As a two-time ovarian cancer survivor, I am dedicated to providing you with the information you need to navigate this challenging journey. In this blog post, we will delve into the association between ovarian cancer and changes in bowel function, helping you recognize the signs, understand the possible causes, and guide you on what to do if you experience these symptoms. Let's empower ourselves with knowledge and compassion.
Are Changes in Bowel Function Possible Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
The short answer is Yes, they can be. First let’s talk about what a “change in bowel function” means. Consider the following:
Have you noticed a persistent alteration in your bowel movements, such as increased frequency, difficulty passing stools, or loose stools?
Do you experience constipation or diarrhea that is not explained by dietary changes or other factors?
Have you observed these changes in combination with other ovarian cancer symptoms? These can include, but aren’t limited to:
Changes in bowel habits, including constipation or diarrhea, can indeed be symptoms of ovarian cancer. If you experience these symptoms persistently and/or they progress, it is essential to discuss them with your healthcare professional for further evaluation.
Persistently means the symptom shows up and doesn’t go away. This means that if you have constipation or diarrhea once in a while, it’s not likely to be concerning.
Progression means the symptom shows up and not only doesn’t go away, it gets worse. So you go from having constipation or diarrhea once in a while to more and more often and/or greater severity.
This is one of he HARDEST symptoms to think of as having to do with ovarian cancer. Typically when something changes in our bowel habits we assume that the cause is related to our digestive system. Maybe something we ate didn’t agree with us. Maybe we have an allergy or sensitivity. Maybe we have IBS. Maybe we are stressed out.
You may ask, “Did you experience this?” And I can share (God, I love sharing this s***, pun intended.), Yes. Yes, I did. My main symptoms included: disappearing menstrual cycle (but I’d always been irregular so I ignored it like an idiot), pelvic pain (but only with exercise), abdominal bloating (mostly after I ate, but it got worse and worse), and IBS symptoms like irritation/discomfort when digesting and diarrhea that became more and more common and severe. (Also, eventually I could see the freaking tumor when I laid flat in my bed it was so big, but that’s a separate story.) What did I think it was? Digestive. I went to a gastroenterologist. They diagnosed me with non-specific IBS and I worked on adjusting my diet to see what was causing the problem. Did I go to my OB/GYN? Nope. Not for a long time. That was a mistake. I’m lucky I made it out alive.
There are many valid possible causes of changes to bowel function. But it could also be ovarian cancer. So if you experience this symptom, in addition to seeing doctors for digestion, like a gastroenterologist as I did, you want to schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN and tell him/her you have this symptom and are concerned. It’s important to rule out ovarian cancer as a possible cause. Plus, what do you have to lose? If you don’t have ovarian cancer, you’ll be relieved and can explore other causes. If you do, being so proactive means you may have caught it earlier than if you ignored this symptom or didn’t go see your OB/GYN.
Understanding the Association: Why Can Ovarian Cancer Cause Changes in Bowel Habits?
Let's explore the potential reasons behind the association between ovarian cancer and changes in bowel habits:
Tumor Compression: Ovarian tumors can press against or affect the nearby bowel, leading to changes in bowel movements.
Put simply, this is saying that in an area of the body packed with organs, a growing tumor takes up space and can SQUISH your bowel (large intestine, colon), leading to change in its function.
Hormonal and Chemical Factors: Ovarian cancer can disrupt hormonal and chemical balances in the body, impacting the functioning of the digestive system and resulting in changes in bowel habits.
Ovarian cancer can cause hormonal changes. For example, in my form of ovarian cancer, estrogen and progesterone levels rise far above normal. In some forms other hormones like testosterone may change. Hormones have powerful impacts on the body, affecting many systems, including the digestive system. This can cause a change in your bowel function.
It is important to communicate your symptoms to your healthcare team, as they can provide appropriate evaluation and support.
The important words above are “communicate your symptoms.” When I first went to an OB/GYN I was so scared about what was going on (By that point I was pretty sure I was in deep doo-doo. OH! The poop-puns keep coming!) that I DIDN’T tell them. I thought, “Hey, if they don’t find anything, I’m all good.”
Ummmm, nope. I had the PA instead of the doctor. I should have asked to see the doctor (not that PAs aren’t good, but this was a complicated, serious concern, not a typical annual checkup). I should have TOLD THEM I was having symptoms and I was worried. Somehow they managed NOT to feel the grapefruit-sized tumor that had eaten my right ovary. I walked away feeling kind of better. But I knew something was wrong.
So I went back two months later and TOLD the doctor. She sent me for an ultrasound, which showed I had a big tumor, than a CT scan, which showed I had a big tumor but no other tumors, thank goodness. And so began my now 16-year journey with ovarian cancer. I was saved in the nick of time. If I had put it off any longer, I probably wouldn’t be here.
Conclusion
Recognizing changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea, as potential symptoms of ovarian cancer is important for early detection and management. If you experience persistent alterations in your bowel movements, consult your healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance. This blog post serves as a supportive resource, but it should not replace personalized medical advice. Reach out to your healthcare team for individualized care and support.
References:
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. (n.d.). Ovarian Cancer Symptoms. Retrieved from https://ovarian.org/about-ovarian-cancer/awareness-and-education/symptoms-of-ovarian-cancer/
American Cancer Society. (2021). Ovarian Cancer Early Detection. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html
