How can I recognize the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Hello, friend.
Recognizing the symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer is vital in promoting early detection and improved outcomes. As a two-time ovarian cancer survivor, I understand the anxiety and uncertainty that may arise when it comes to identifying this disease. In this blog post, we will address your questions about the symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer, shedding light on both the well-known indicators and the lesser-known ones. By increasing your awareness, we hope to empower you in taking proactive steps to protect your health.
What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
You may be wondering, "What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?" It's crucial to be vigilant and aware of the common signs associated with this disease.
Now let’s explore the more COMMON symptoms of ovarian cancer together:
Do you experience abdominal bloating or swelling?
Are you frequently bothered by pelvic or abdominal pain?
Have you noticed difficulty eating or feeling full quickly?
Do you often experience urinary urgency or increased frequency?
These symptoms can be early warning signs of ovarian cancer. If you experience these persistently, it's essential to consult a doctor for further evaluation.
You might be saying, “What? Those are all so vague. They could be anything.” You’re right. That is the great challenge of this particular disease. Ovarian cancer is often referred to as a silent killer because the “signs” are less obvious than many other forms and it’s often diagnosed in later stages, when it is harder to win the battle. That’s why paying close attention to any of these signs is important.
I used to tell friends, “If you are experiencing these kinds of things, don’t just go see a gastroenterologist (gut doctor), go see your OB/GYN as well. Make sure you tell her/him exactly what you’ve been experiencing and what your concerns are.” If you read The No Bull**** Guide to Dealing with Cancer, you’ll learn that I even went to see an OB/GYN but DIDN’T tell them what was concerning me. They didn’t find anything in that visit. Two months later when I went back and said, “I am specifically experiencing x, y, and z and am worried,” the doctor referred me for testing that found my cancer.
In my case there were two other signs that I didn’t easily identify. These are specific to me and may not indicate anything for other patients, but the important thing is these things were different and should, therefore, have given me enough concern to go see a doctor.
Losing my menstrual cycle. I had always had irregular periods, so this was a little harder to “see” as a symptom. Often my periods were quite long, heavy, and painful. That said, I sometimes went longer times than usual without a period, so when it started to lighten and come farther and farther apart, I was mostly content. I wasn’t trying to get pregnant. I was also a runner training for a half-marathon, which was more running than I was used to doing. It seemed logical that my period could be getting lighter.
Research on the topic of menstrual cycles as they relate to ovarian cancer is still confusing. Some studies show irregularity in general can lessen your risk, others show it can increase it. So I’m not suggesting you use what your cycles are NORMALLY like as an indicator. What I’m suggesting is that if they CHANGE, you get an appointment with your doctor. I SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE DOCTOR! Persistent changes (doesn’t go away) or progressive changes (something changes and keeps changing or gets worse) to something in your body should always be checked.
Abdominal cramping with cardiac exercise (running). I will never know for sure, but I suspect that having a grapefruit-sized mass in my pelvis created issues for the organs around it when I went for long training runs. I started having cramping that felt almost like menstrual cramps when I’d head out for a run. It got so bad I’d have to walk home after just a mile, clutching my gut and the cramping would persist for an hour or more after I stopped. Ummmmm, this is the point when I should have gone to the D*** DOCTOR!!! But I didn’t. I just stopped training and chalked it up to my weird menstrual cycle.
In the end, I was able to SEE my tumor as a lump in my pelvis when I would lie down in my bed, it was so large. By then I was already in very deep doo-doo, but I STILL tried to tell myself it was something else. A hernia maybe.
Eventually my worries forced me to see the doctor and learn the truth. I SHOULD have gone much sooner. I might have saved myself awful treatment and even possibly my recurrence (because it happened in a lymph node located near where cells were found during my initial staging for cancer… maybe if I’d caught it earlier, it never would have had that chance to spread).
The truth is I had early symptoms. I started BLOATING after I ate. At first only sometimes, but eventually all the time. I went to gastroenterologists but they only said, “random IBS.”
As a woman, it is always a good idea to have anything related to your period or happening inside your abdomen (tummy) or pelvis (lower region below your stomach) checked out by an OB/GYN in addition to any other doctors you may consult. Don’t assume, “It’s something to do with my stomach or digestive system.”
How Can You Identify Lesser-Known Signs of Ovarian Cancer?
In addition to the well-known symptoms, there are lesser-known signs that may go unnoticed. You might wonder, "What are the lesser-known signs of ovarian cancer?"
Let's explore them:
Have you been experiencing unexplained nausea or indigestion? Do you frequently feel early satiety (fullness) or a loss of appetite?
You might experience weight LOSS as a result of not eating or feeling full quickly (as listed above).
You might also experience what seems like weight GAIN or an enlarged waist.
Have you noticed a change in bowel habits such as increased constipation or diarrhea?
Have you been dealing with persistent lower back pain?
Are you often fatigued without an apparent cause?
These symptoms may not be immediately associated with ovarian cancer, but they can sometimes indicate the presence of the disease. Pay attention to your body and consult a healthcare professional if these signs persist or worsen.
Again, it’s SO HARD to say these vague symptoms might be associated with ovarian cancer because I don’t want to panic you without cause. But sometimes one or two of these will be the only sign you get. I met a women who’s only sign of the disease before she went to the doctor was an enlarging waist. She thought she was gaining weight even though she was eating less. When she needed to buy new clothes, she decided to ask a doctor what was going on. They did tests and her CA-125 was super-elevated. They found the cancer after that and began treatment.
(Note - CA-125 is not a consistent biomarker for everyone. For example, it’s never been elevated for me.)
The point here is that when something in your body changes—particularly in your abdomen/pelvis area—it’s worth making an appointment with your gynecologist and letting him/her know your concerns so they can look into it. Screening for ovarian cancer is still somewhat hit-or-miss, but it is very curable when caught early. The problem is that without good screening and with vague symptoms, it’s often caught later. I like to say that ovarian cancer isn’t a killer, it’s a SNEAK.
That’s why getting checked out, letting doctors know you have a concern, doing what you can to catch things early is WORTH IT. Even if it turns out to be nothing (which is always the hope).
And even if whatever is happening to your body is not ovarian cancer (PLEASE let that be the case), there are other conditions that may need treatment like PCOS, endometriosis, benign growths, or gastrointestinal issues. Any time you have a change in your body that is persistent and/or progressive, it makes sense to seek medical advice
Are There Rare Forms of Ovarian Cancer You Should Be Aware Of?
You may be curious about rare forms of ovarian cancer, asking, "Are there uncommon types I should know about?"
Let's explore two of them: germ cell tumors and sex cord-stromal tumors (my type)
What makes a germ cell tumor type of ovarian cancer and who tends to develop it?
Germ cell tumors are rare and primarily affect young women under the age of 40. Most germ cell tumors are benign but 2-3% are malignant. They arise from the cells that produce eggs and can include subtypes like dysgerminomas, yolk sac tumors, and immature teratomas. Symptoms can vary, but may include abdominal pain, bloating, or the presence of a mass.
What makes a sex cord-stromal tumors type of ovarian cancer and who tends to develop it?
Sex cord-stromal tumors account for approximately 5% of ovarian cancers. (Although my subtype is about 1% of ovarian cancers.) They can produce hormones, leading to specific symptoms. Not all types produce the same hormones so they don’t all produce the same types of symptoms. Subtypes such as granulosa cell tumors and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, or hormonal changes.
THIS is my type. It’s a sex-cord stromal tumor with annular tubules or a SCTAT. Very rare. And it can strike a female of any age. The scientific research has found a 4-year-old girl and a 75-year-old woman with SCTATs. I listed the symptoms I experienced above. My initial tumor was quite large—15cm—by the time it was found. I could actually see it sticking up from my pelvic area when I lay flat in my bed.
Conclusion
Now that you have answers to your questions, you are better equipped to recognize the symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer. Remember to listen to your body and seek medical attention if you experience persistent or worsening symptoms that concern you. This blog post provides information, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider.
Sources
American Cancer Society. (2021). Ovarian Cancer Early Detection. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html
